CA2184187C - Wireless pager with prestored images - Google Patents
Wireless pager with prestored imagesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2184187C CA2184187C CA002184187A CA2184187A CA2184187C CA 2184187 C CA2184187 C CA 2184187C CA 002184187 A CA002184187 A CA 002184187A CA 2184187 A CA2184187 A CA 2184187A CA 2184187 C CA2184187 C CA 2184187C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- image
- signal
- individual
- message
- selected image
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
- G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
- G08B5/222—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems
- G08B5/223—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems using wireless transmission
- G08B5/224—Paging receivers with visible signalling details
- G08B5/225—Display details
- G08B5/226—Display details with alphanumeric or graphic display means
Abstract
A system for forming a message for transmission to a wireless pager. The system comprises a camera (30, 40), a user interface (32, 42), storage device (50), audio input device (54), a display device (52), and a transmitter (34, 44). The electronic storage device (50) retrives an image selected by the user of the interface (32, 42). The system can compose a message (98) having an image (100, 112) accompanied by text.
Description
2 1 ~ 7 WO 96121205 PCr/lJS9~114693 WIRELESS PAGER WITH PRESTORED IMAGES
Technical Field .
The present invention relates to a selective call receiver, such as a wireless pager, capable of displaying an image based upon a received signal.
0 Background of the Invention The use of selective call receivers, such as wireless pagers, is becoming increasingly popular in- both personal and business applications. Many currently-available 5 commercial pagers produce either an audio signal or a vibration signal to alert a user of an incoming message.
In addition to an alerting signal, many pagers are capable of receiving radio frequency signals representative of a numerical message. These pagers further include a display 2 0 device capable of displaying the numerical message . This allows a party paging the user to send a return telephone number, for example, directly to the wireless pager.
Other commercially-available pagers are capable of receiving radio frequency signals representative of an 25 Al~hA -rical message, and displaying the alphanumerical message on a display device. This allows a party paging the user to send a brief text-based message directly to the wireless pager. As a result, pagers with an AlphA -ric display provide an improved personalization
Technical Field .
The present invention relates to a selective call receiver, such as a wireless pager, capable of displaying an image based upon a received signal.
0 Background of the Invention The use of selective call receivers, such as wireless pagers, is becoming increasingly popular in- both personal and business applications. Many currently-available 5 commercial pagers produce either an audio signal or a vibration signal to alert a user of an incoming message.
In addition to an alerting signal, many pagers are capable of receiving radio frequency signals representative of a numerical message. These pagers further include a display 2 0 device capable of displaying the numerical message . This allows a party paging the user to send a return telephone number, for example, directly to the wireless pager.
Other commercially-available pagers are capable of receiving radio frequency signals representative of an 25 Al~hA -rical message, and displaying the alphanumerical message on a display device. This allows a party paging the user to send a brief text-based message directly to the wireless pager. As a result, pagers with an AlphA -ric display provide an improved personalization
3 0 of an ; ncnm; ng message in comparison to the numerical display .
Other wireless pager systems have been disclosed which provide further personali~ation of a message received thereby. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5, 087, 905, 3 5 to ECuramatsu et al., discloses a radio pager which receives a series of data transmissions and provides a display image based thereupon. In particular, data c~,ntAin~fl in a second and subsequent ones of the data tr~ncm; CS; ~nC is superimposed on basic data contained in a 4t~7 WO 96121205 ~ PCrlUS95/14693 0 first of the data trAncm; qc; ons in order to form the display image. A read-only memory is provided for storing a plurality of prPrlptprm; nPrl patterns, wherein a selected one of the predetermined patterns is displayed in dependence upon the basic data in the first of the data transmissions .
U.S. Patent No. 5,1~3,688, to DeLuca et al., discloses a pager capable of receiving data representative of a blank form or table and producing a display based thereupon. Further, the pager is capable of filling in the displayed form or table based upon a subsequently received signal.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. l is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of forming a message for tr~ncm; cs; r~n to a wireless pager;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an em~bodiment of a 2 5 system for forming a message for tr~ncm; qc; on to a wireless pager;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system for forming a message for t~Ancm; scion to a wireless pager;
3 0 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of reconstructing a message in a wireless pager;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager;
and 3 5 FIGS . 6-lO schematically illustrate examples of combined images in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
2~1 84 1 ~7 Wo 96121205 PC'rlUS95114693 Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Embodiments of the present invention advantageously 5 form visual messages for a wireless pager based upon both an image produced by an individual sending a visual message, and a selected one of a plurality of prestored images. A significant; LO~ L in the personalization of messages transmitted to a wireless pager is realized by 10 incorporating the image produced by the individual, and by providing a variety of prestored images from which the selected one is chosen. The prestored images may be llt; l; 7~t~ in characterizing the nature of the message in applications such as paging, greetings, and visual mail.
FIG. l is_a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of forming a message for trAncm; cs; on to a wireless pager.
The method includes a step of capturing at least one image produced by an individual, as indicated by block lO. The at least one image preferably contains the face of the 20 individual sending the message, although embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. The at least one image may comprise a single still image produced by the individual. Alternatively, the at least one image may comprise a sequence of images which, when viewed in 25 surrecc;~ln~ provide an animated display.
The method further comprises a step of producing a first signal representative of the at least one image, as indicated by block 12. Preferably, the first signal is either an analog or a digital representation of pixels 3 0 which comprise the at least one image produced by the individual. If the first signal is to be in a digital form, the step of producing the first signal may include steps such as digiti2ing the at least one image and encoding an at least one digitized image which results.
3 5 Further, the first signal in the digital form may be compressed in order to reduce a number of bits required to represent the at least one image. For a sequence of 218~87 ~o 96nl20s PCrlUS95/14693 0 images, various inter-frame compression techniques known in the art of image processing may be employed.
Optionally, the step of producing the first signal repr~q~nt~t; ve of the at least one image includes a step 5 of segmenting the at least one image to extract a predetermined object therefrom. As known in the art of image processing, segmenting an image entails subdividing the image into at least one object, wherein an object is representative of a constituent part of the image, a 10 region of the image, or another entity of interest in the image . Preferably, the predetermined ob ject extracted from the at least one image includes a portion of the individual, such as the individual' s face. By including a step of se~ ; ng, the first signal provides an encoded 15 representation of the predetermined ob ject rather than the entire image. Various techniques for segmentation may be employed in this step, as one with ordinary skill in the art of image processing will recognlze.
As indicated by block 14, the method further includes 2 0 a step of producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images.
Typically, the selected image is ~l~t~rm; nf~ based upon a series of keystrokes initia~ed by the same individual whose image is captured in the step of block 10. The 2 5 plurality of predetermined images preferably includes one or more clip art images, examples of which are illustrated hereinafter. The selected image is used by the wireless pager which receives the message, in a manner to be described later, to personalize the at least one image 3 0 produced by the individual The second signal need not be an analog or a digital representation of each of the pixels of the selected image. Rather, the second signal is preferably a designator of the selected image from the plurality of 3 5 predetermined images. More particularly, each of the plurality of predetermined images is uniquely represented by a corresponding designator. Preferably, the designator ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = = = = . . . , . .. . _ _ .. .. _ 2~A~7 wo 96m20s PCr/US95114693 for each of the pr~ t orm; nPr~ images comprises a unique series of digital bits.
Optionally, the method may further include a step of producing a third signal in ~r~n~ nce upon a language-5 based message, as indicated by block 16. The language-based message may be either an audio message, an qlE~h;~ -ric message, or a combination thereof. The language-based message provides a systematic means of communicating, to the user of the wireless pager, ideas or 10 feelings using conventionql; z~l sounds, signs, or marks having understood ~-qn; n~q .
An audio message in accordance with this step is formed by at least one received acoustic pressure wave.
Hence, the third signal is based upon the at least one 15 received acoustic pressure wave for the audio message.
Typically, the audio message includes a spoken message by the individual. The audio message may be spoken contemporaneously with the capturing of a sequence of images of the individual, so that a resulting visual 2 0 message can be synchronized therewith. Alternatively, the audio message may be spoken at a different time than that for capturing the images. Regardless, one ls capable of forming a message which comprises an audio message and a visual message associated therewith, based upon both the 2 5 at least one image produced by the individual and the selected one of the pr~ t -rm; n~l images .
As a further option, the method may include a step of displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image of the individual and the selected image, 3 0 as indicated by block 20. This step allows the individual to preview the message which is to be transmitted to the wireless pager. Each of the at least one combined image may comprise a corrPsr~nrl; ng one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
3 5 Alternatively, each of the at least one combined image may comprise a first pre~PtPrm; ned region and a second predetermined region, wherein the selected image is WO96/21205 ~ i ~ i ' PCrrUSgsl14693 0 displayed in the first predet.orm; n~fi region and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in the second predetermined region. Regardless, the at least one - ;nod image may be s~ cc;vely displayed to provide an animated display of the individual.
As indicated by block 22, the method further includes a step of transmitting a signal based upon the first signal and the second signal. The signal may be transmitted to a centrally-located paging computer via a standard telephone connection ~either wireless or l;~n~ll ;n~) . Upon receiving the signal, the paging computer transmits a radio ~ equency paging signal, modulated in ~l~r~ncl~nr~e upon the first signal and the second signal, to the wireless pager. As a result, the visual message formed using the above-described method is transmitted to the wireless pager.
Alternatively, the signal which is transmitted in block 22 may already be a radio frequency signal modulated by the first signal and the second signal. Various 2 0 modulation techniques may be employed, as one with ordinary skill in the art of communications will recognize. Examples of such modulation techniques include, but are not limited to: amplitude modulation, frequency mofl~ qt;~n, phase modulation, pulse amplitude 2 5 modulation, pulse code modulation, pulse width modulation, pulse position mo~ t;on, pulse width modulation, time-division modulation, and frequency division modulation.
The radio frequency signal may be directly transmitted to the wireless pager, or alternatively, may be indirectly 3 0 transmitted to the wireless pager via an int~rm~ P
location, such as a paging service provider or a repeater.
Generally, the intermediate location is one which receives the radio frequency signal and transmits a second radio frequency signal based thereupon to the wireless pager.
3 5 If the language-based message, containing either an audio message or ;'lph. riC message, is to be included, `2t 8~1 ~37 then the transmitted signal is further based upon the third signal produced in block 16.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for forming a message for transmission to a wireless pager. The system comprises a camera 30 which captures at least one image of an individual, and produces a first signal representative of the at least one image.
The camera 30 may be embodied by one of various devices known in the art; these devices include, but are not limited to: a charge-coupled device (CCD) array, or a vidicon. The camera 30 may capture a single still image of the individual, or alternatively, a sequence of images which provide an animated display of the individual when viewed in succession.
The first signal produced by the camera 30 is preferably either an analog or a digital representation of pixels which form the at least one image of the individual. If the digital representation is utilized, the camera 30 may include a digitizer (not specifically 2 0 illustrated) which provides the first signal in a digital form. The digital form is preferred in that further image processing hardware, such as an image compressor (not specifically illustrated), may be included to reduce the number of bits required to represent the at least one 2 5 image .
The system further comprises a user interface 32 which allows the individual to select an image from a plurality of predet~orm; nerl images. Generally, the user interface 32 may include an input device such as one or 3 0 more buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a ~oystick, a lightpen, a trackball, a touchpad, or a touchscreen, to name a few.
In a first preferred embodiment, the user interface 32 ; n~ iF'C an array of buttons which allows the individual to select the image by performing a series of keystrokes.
3 5 In a second preferred embodiment, the individual scans through the pre-l~t~rmi n~ images, by pressing an increment 2 i 84 1-~7 WO 96/21205 PCrlUS95/14693 0 button and/or a le~ r ~ button contained in the user interface 32, until the desired image is selected.
The user interface 32 produces a second signal which indicates the image which is selected by the individual.
5 The second signal is preferably a designator of the selected image from the plurality of predetermined images.
More preferably, the designator comprises a series of bits which uniquely identifies each of the predetermined images .
Fùrther included in the system is a transmitter 34 which is responsive to both the camera 30 and the user interface 32. ~he transmitter 34 transmits the visual message in the form of a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal. The transmitter 34 may 15 include a modulator which produces the third signal modulated in ~r~n-i~nce upon the first signal and the second signal, For example, the transmitter 34 may include a radio fre~Luency modulator which produces a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first 2 0 signal and the second signal . This would be beneficial for a wireless system for transmitting the visual message.
Alternatively, the modulator may be of the variety which allows signals to be transmitted over a standard telephone line. This may be used for transmitting the visual 2 5 message to a centrally-located paging computer .
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system for forming a message for transmission to a wireless pager. The system comprises a camera 40, a user interface 42, and a transmitter 44 as in the embodiment of 3 0 FIG. 2. Optionally, an image segmenter 46 is included in the system. The image segmenter 46 extracts a predetermined object from the at least one image captured by the camera 40. Preferably, the pr~ t~ormin~d obiect includes a portion of the individual, such as the 3 5 individual ' s f ace .
The system further includes an electronic storage device 5D which contains the plurality of predet~ormin~l _ _ _ _ _ _ .
W096~21205 2 i 84 i ~7 PCTIUS95/14693 images in an electronic form. The electronic storage device 50 retrieves the selected image of the -~ predetermined images based upon the second signal produced by the user interface 42. The electronic storage device 50 may be a read-only memory, a random-access memory, a magnetic storage device, or a like device. The electronic storage device 50 may be fixed within the system, or may be removable from the system to allow for different predet,orm; n~d sets of images to be llt; l, 71~
0 A display device 52 is coupled to the camera 40 and the electronic storage device 50 to display at least one ;nPd image based upon the at least one image of the individual and the selected image of the predet-rm;nod images. The display device 52 preferably comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a pixel resolution sufficient for displaying the combined image.
Alternatively, other display devices may be employed as one with ordinary skill in the art will recognize. By including the display device 52, the individual is able to preview the visual message which is to be transmitted to the wireless pager.
As another option, the system may include an audio input device 54 which produces an audio signal based upon an acoustic pressure wave received thereby. Typically, 2 ~ the acoustic pressure wave is a spoken message produced by the individual. The audio input device 54 may be embodied by a microphone or a like transducer. The audio input device 54 is coupled to the transmitter 44 so that the transmitted signal is further based upon the audio signal.
3 0 As a further option, the user interface 42 may allow the individual to enter an ~ l rh. ric message which ~u~; nt ~ the visual message . The alphanumeric message can be entered by a series of keystrokes performed by the individual, for example. The user interface 42 converts 3 5 the ~rh~ - ic message to an electrical signal for application to the transmitter 44, which produces the transmitted signal based thereupon.
WO96/21205 ~r~,~ 411 ~7 PCr/US95/14693 0 The embodiment of FIG. 3 may be realized using a standard v; ~ orhr~n~ Here, the camera 40, the user interface 42 (a numeric key pad on the v; ~1~nphr~n,o may be employed as the user interface 42), the transmitter 44, 5 and the display device 52 are contained within the videophone. A mouthpiece of the videophone may be employed as the optional audio input device 54. The at least one image captured by the camera 40 is transmitted by the virlr~or~r~nr to a centrally-located paging computer.
10 The second signal representative of the selected image is transmitted by the videophone using DTMF (dual-tone modulated frer~uency) signals generated by the numeric key pad. The electronic storage device 50 containing the predetermined images may be located at either the paging 15 computer or the videophone. The at least ~one combined image, formed either by the paging computer or the viri-~ophnnri~, may be displayed on the display device 52 to allow for previewing of the visual message.
FIG. 4 ls a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 2 0 of reconstructing a message in a wireless pager . As ;nr~;r-~t~ofl by block 60, the method includes a step of receiving a radio frequency signal which contains a first signal representative o~ at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected 25 image of a plurality of predetermined images. The radio frequency signal may be transmitted by a paging service provider, using a ground antenna or a satellite, in response to receiving a visual paging message. As one having ordinary skill in the art will recogni~e, the radio 3 O frer~uency signal typically contains an identification signal which identifies which wireless pager is to receive the message.
The method further; nr-l ~lr~r~ a step of extracting the first signal and the second signal from the radio 3 5 frequency signal, as indicated by block 62. If the radio frequency signa~ is modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal, this step entails '`2`l 84`ll37 demodulating the radio frequency signal to extract the first signal and the second signal. The first signal is preferably either an analog or a digital representation of the pixels of the at least one image of the individual.
5 The second signal is preferably a designator of a selected image of a plurality of prestored images. Most preferably, the second signal comprises a series of digital bits which unir1uely identifies each of the prestored images.
A step of retrieving the selected image from the prestored images based upon the second signal is performed, as indicated by block 64. Preferably, this step results in providing a digital representation of pixels rr~nt A; nPt1 in the seleGted image .
As indicated by block 66, a step of displaying at least one ~ ; n~l image based upon the at least one image of the individual and the selected image is performed. If the first signal is a compressed, digital signal, the step of displaying includes a step of decompressing the first 2 0 signal . Each of the at least one combined image may comprise a corrPcr~ n~1; ng one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
Alternatively, each of the at least one combined image may comprise a first prP-l~t~rm; nf~d region and a second 2 5 pr~o~lPt~rm; ned region, wherein the selected image is displayed in the first predetPrm; nP~ region and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in the second predetermined region. Regardless, the at least one combined image may be successively displayed to 3 0 provide an animated display of the individual.
Optionally, if the radio frerluency signal contains a signal representative of an audio message, then a further step of producing at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message may be performed, as 3 5 indicated by block 70. Here, the at least one combined image may be displayed in synchronization with the at 21~41~7 WO 96~21205 PCrNS95/1403 0 least one acoustic pressure wave, so that the visual message and the audio message are synchroni~ed.
As another optlon, if the radio frequency signal contains a signal representative of an ~lpl-~- ~ric message, then a further step of displaying the alphanumeric message may be performed, as indicated by block 72.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager.
0 A receiver 80 receives a radio frequency signal which contains a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images.
Further, the radio frequency signal typically contains an identification signal which identifies which wireless pager is to receive the message. Hence, the wireless pager typically includes hardware responsive to the identification signal for detecting which messages are to be reconstructed therein.
If the radio frequency signal is modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal, then the receiver may include a demodulator (not speci~ically illustrated), as is known in the art. The demodulator acts to extract the first signal and the 2 5 second signal from the radio ~requency signal based upon a predetermined modulation scheme which is utili2ed.
The receiver 80 provides the second signal to an electronic storage device ~2 which contains the predet~-rm; ned images in an electronic form. The 3 0 ,~ rt r~rn; c storage device 82 retrieves the selected image of the predetermined images based upon the second signal.
The electronic storage device 82 may include a read-only memory, a random-access memory, a magnetic storage device, or a like device. The electronic storage device 82 may be 3 5 fixed within the wireless pager, or may be removable to allow for different preflr~tr~rm; n~d sets of images to be utili2ed .
WO 96/21205 ;~ 1 8 4 1 ~3 ~ PCrlUS95/14693 The first signal from the receiver 80 and the selected image from the electronic storage devlce 82 are communicated to a display device 84. The display device 84 displays at least one combined image based upon the at 5 least one image of the individual and the selected image.
The display device 84 may be capable of successive displaying a series of - ; nPd images to provide an animated display of the individual. Alternatively, the display device 84 may only display a single I ; nec1 image 10 based upon a still image of the individual. The display device 84 preferably comprises a liquid crystal display (~CD) having a pixel resolution sufficient for displaying the at least one combined image. Alternatively, other display devices may be employed as one with ordinary skill 15 in the art will reco 7n- 7~ .
~ ore preferably, the display device 84 has sufficient pixel resolution so that the image of the individual may be recognized by the recipient of the visual message.
Further, the display device 84 is preferably capable of 20 displaying a sufficient number of different pixel intensity levels and/or colors so that the image of the individual may be recognized.
Optionally, if the radio frequency signal contains a signal representative of an audio message, the system may 2 5 further include an audio output device 86 which produces at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message. Here, the receiver 80 extracts the signal representative of the audio message from the radio frequency signal for application to the audio output 3 0 device 86. The audio output device 86 may include a speaker or any like transducer capable of producing acoustic pressure waves in response to an electrical signal applied thereto.
The at least one combined image may be displayed in 3 5 synchronization with the at least one acoustic pressure wave so that the visual message and the audio message are synchronized. For example, a sequence of combined images wo 96m205 2 1 ~ 7 PCIIUS95/14693 may be successively displayed to corresponding with a spoken message from the individual.
Optionally, if the radio fre~uency signal contains a signal representative of an alphanumeric message, then the 5 display device 84 may further display the ~l~hAn -ric message in addition to the at least one combined image.
Here, the receiver 80 extracts the signal representative of the alphanumeric message for application to the display device 84.
Although not sper;f;r~lly illustrated, the system for reconstructing the message may be used in conjunction with other hardware contained within a wireless pager. The wireless pager may include a memory for storing received messages, and a user interface which allows a user to_ step 15 through received messages for display on the display device 84. In order to store the visual messages, the memory may store pixel representations of the combined images. Alternatively, the memory may store representations of the first and secDnd signals; e.g., the 2 0 memory stores pixel repres~rltations of the image of the individual and the designator of the selected image.
FIGS. 6-l0 schematically illustrate examples of ~ ,; n~d images in accordance with embodiments o~ the present invention. Examples of the prestored, 2 5 predetermined clip art images include: a letter-head image 90, an example of_which is illustrated in FIG. 6; a border image 92, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. ~; a graphics image 94, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 8; a scenic image 96, an example of which is 3 O illustrated in FIG. 9; and a message-slip image 98, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. l0. An image l00 of the individual is included in each of the examples of combined images.
If the individual forming the visual paging message 3 5 is representing a business or a personal concern, he/she may choose a suitable letter-head image 90 or a like image to form the visual message. The letter-head image 90 may 218~1~7 graphically contain the name of the business or personal concern .
The individual may select a suitable border image 92 or graphics image 94 to embellish the visual paging message. If the individual forming the visual paging message is on vacation, for example, he/she may choose a suitable scenic image 96 or a like image to form the visual message. The scenic image 96, and more generally any of the clip-art images, may be captured by a camera and/or artistically created.
The individual may select the message-slip image 98 to provide a conventional "while you were out" type visual message. Here, various message-slips may be selected having different illustrations which characterize the message. For example, dif~erent message-slips may contain characterizations such as "urgent", "personal", "call back", and "will call again". The message-slip image 98 may include fields which allow an alphanumeric message entered by the individual to be displayed.
2 O As earlier described, the image lO0 of the individual may be superimposed on the selected clip-art image to form the combined image. This is illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 wherein the image lO0 is superimposed on the graphics image 94 and the scenic image 96. Alternatively, the image 100 may ~e displayed in one predetermined region, while the selected clip-art image is displayed in another predetermined region. This is illustrated in FIG.
6, 7, and lO. In FIG. 6, the letter-head image 90 is displayed in a region 104 above another region 106 which ~lntA;nC the image lO0 of the individual. In FIG. 7, the border image 92 is displayed in a region 108 which surrounds another region llO c--ntA;n;n~ the image lO0 of the individual. In FIG. lO, the image lO0 of the individual is contained in a predetermined region 112 in 3 5 the message-slip image 98.
A multitude of different clip-art images may be utilized to personalize a visual message in embodiments of 2 i ~ 7 the present invention. Other clip-art images which may be popular lnclude greeting-card-type images for various occasions and sports-highlights images. Consequently, embodiments of the present invention may be applied in a variety of applications which include paging, greetings, and visual mail.
Thus, there has been described herein a concept, as well as several embodiments including a preferred embodiment of a wireless pager with prestored images.
0 Because the various embodiments of methods and systems for forming and reconstructing a visual message as herein-described utilize a prestored clip art image along with a captured image, they provide a significant improvement in pers~n~l;z;n~ a visual message which is transmitted to a wireless pager.
Additionally, the various embodiments of the present invention as herein-described use clip art images to characterize the nature of the paging message, such as being urgent or personal.
2 0 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred form specifically set out and described above.
Accordingly, it is lntended oy the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which fall~within the true sp:rit and scope of the invention.
Other wireless pager systems have been disclosed which provide further personali~ation of a message received thereby. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5, 087, 905, 3 5 to ECuramatsu et al., discloses a radio pager which receives a series of data transmissions and provides a display image based thereupon. In particular, data c~,ntAin~fl in a second and subsequent ones of the data tr~ncm; CS; ~nC is superimposed on basic data contained in a 4t~7 WO 96121205 ~ PCrlUS95/14693 0 first of the data trAncm; qc; ons in order to form the display image. A read-only memory is provided for storing a plurality of prPrlptprm; nPrl patterns, wherein a selected one of the predetermined patterns is displayed in dependence upon the basic data in the first of the data transmissions .
U.S. Patent No. 5,1~3,688, to DeLuca et al., discloses a pager capable of receiving data representative of a blank form or table and producing a display based thereupon. Further, the pager is capable of filling in the displayed form or table based upon a subsequently received signal.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. l is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of forming a message for tr~ncm; cs; r~n to a wireless pager;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an em~bodiment of a 2 5 system for forming a message for tr~ncm; qc; on to a wireless pager;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system for forming a message for t~Ancm; scion to a wireless pager;
3 0 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of reconstructing a message in a wireless pager;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager;
and 3 5 FIGS . 6-lO schematically illustrate examples of combined images in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
2~1 84 1 ~7 Wo 96121205 PC'rlUS95114693 Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Embodiments of the present invention advantageously 5 form visual messages for a wireless pager based upon both an image produced by an individual sending a visual message, and a selected one of a plurality of prestored images. A significant; LO~ L in the personalization of messages transmitted to a wireless pager is realized by 10 incorporating the image produced by the individual, and by providing a variety of prestored images from which the selected one is chosen. The prestored images may be llt; l; 7~t~ in characterizing the nature of the message in applications such as paging, greetings, and visual mail.
FIG. l is_a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of forming a message for trAncm; cs; on to a wireless pager.
The method includes a step of capturing at least one image produced by an individual, as indicated by block lO. The at least one image preferably contains the face of the 20 individual sending the message, although embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. The at least one image may comprise a single still image produced by the individual. Alternatively, the at least one image may comprise a sequence of images which, when viewed in 25 surrecc;~ln~ provide an animated display.
The method further comprises a step of producing a first signal representative of the at least one image, as indicated by block 12. Preferably, the first signal is either an analog or a digital representation of pixels 3 0 which comprise the at least one image produced by the individual. If the first signal is to be in a digital form, the step of producing the first signal may include steps such as digiti2ing the at least one image and encoding an at least one digitized image which results.
3 5 Further, the first signal in the digital form may be compressed in order to reduce a number of bits required to represent the at least one image. For a sequence of 218~87 ~o 96nl20s PCrlUS95/14693 0 images, various inter-frame compression techniques known in the art of image processing may be employed.
Optionally, the step of producing the first signal repr~q~nt~t; ve of the at least one image includes a step 5 of segmenting the at least one image to extract a predetermined object therefrom. As known in the art of image processing, segmenting an image entails subdividing the image into at least one object, wherein an object is representative of a constituent part of the image, a 10 region of the image, or another entity of interest in the image . Preferably, the predetermined ob ject extracted from the at least one image includes a portion of the individual, such as the individual' s face. By including a step of se~ ; ng, the first signal provides an encoded 15 representation of the predetermined ob ject rather than the entire image. Various techniques for segmentation may be employed in this step, as one with ordinary skill in the art of image processing will recognlze.
As indicated by block 14, the method further includes 2 0 a step of producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images.
Typically, the selected image is ~l~t~rm; nf~ based upon a series of keystrokes initia~ed by the same individual whose image is captured in the step of block 10. The 2 5 plurality of predetermined images preferably includes one or more clip art images, examples of which are illustrated hereinafter. The selected image is used by the wireless pager which receives the message, in a manner to be described later, to personalize the at least one image 3 0 produced by the individual The second signal need not be an analog or a digital representation of each of the pixels of the selected image. Rather, the second signal is preferably a designator of the selected image from the plurality of 3 5 predetermined images. More particularly, each of the plurality of predetermined images is uniquely represented by a corresponding designator. Preferably, the designator ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = = = = . . . , . .. . _ _ .. .. _ 2~A~7 wo 96m20s PCr/US95114693 for each of the pr~ t orm; nPr~ images comprises a unique series of digital bits.
Optionally, the method may further include a step of producing a third signal in ~r~n~ nce upon a language-5 based message, as indicated by block 16. The language-based message may be either an audio message, an qlE~h;~ -ric message, or a combination thereof. The language-based message provides a systematic means of communicating, to the user of the wireless pager, ideas or 10 feelings using conventionql; z~l sounds, signs, or marks having understood ~-qn; n~q .
An audio message in accordance with this step is formed by at least one received acoustic pressure wave.
Hence, the third signal is based upon the at least one 15 received acoustic pressure wave for the audio message.
Typically, the audio message includes a spoken message by the individual. The audio message may be spoken contemporaneously with the capturing of a sequence of images of the individual, so that a resulting visual 2 0 message can be synchronized therewith. Alternatively, the audio message may be spoken at a different time than that for capturing the images. Regardless, one ls capable of forming a message which comprises an audio message and a visual message associated therewith, based upon both the 2 5 at least one image produced by the individual and the selected one of the pr~ t -rm; n~l images .
As a further option, the method may include a step of displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image of the individual and the selected image, 3 0 as indicated by block 20. This step allows the individual to preview the message which is to be transmitted to the wireless pager. Each of the at least one combined image may comprise a corrPsr~nrl; ng one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
3 5 Alternatively, each of the at least one combined image may comprise a first pre~PtPrm; ned region and a second predetermined region, wherein the selected image is WO96/21205 ~ i ~ i ' PCrrUSgsl14693 0 displayed in the first predet.orm; n~fi region and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in the second predetermined region. Regardless, the at least one - ;nod image may be s~ cc;vely displayed to provide an animated display of the individual.
As indicated by block 22, the method further includes a step of transmitting a signal based upon the first signal and the second signal. The signal may be transmitted to a centrally-located paging computer via a standard telephone connection ~either wireless or l;~n~ll ;n~) . Upon receiving the signal, the paging computer transmits a radio ~ equency paging signal, modulated in ~l~r~ncl~nr~e upon the first signal and the second signal, to the wireless pager. As a result, the visual message formed using the above-described method is transmitted to the wireless pager.
Alternatively, the signal which is transmitted in block 22 may already be a radio frequency signal modulated by the first signal and the second signal. Various 2 0 modulation techniques may be employed, as one with ordinary skill in the art of communications will recognize. Examples of such modulation techniques include, but are not limited to: amplitude modulation, frequency mofl~ qt;~n, phase modulation, pulse amplitude 2 5 modulation, pulse code modulation, pulse width modulation, pulse position mo~ t;on, pulse width modulation, time-division modulation, and frequency division modulation.
The radio frequency signal may be directly transmitted to the wireless pager, or alternatively, may be indirectly 3 0 transmitted to the wireless pager via an int~rm~ P
location, such as a paging service provider or a repeater.
Generally, the intermediate location is one which receives the radio frequency signal and transmits a second radio frequency signal based thereupon to the wireless pager.
3 5 If the language-based message, containing either an audio message or ;'lph. riC message, is to be included, `2t 8~1 ~37 then the transmitted signal is further based upon the third signal produced in block 16.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for forming a message for transmission to a wireless pager. The system comprises a camera 30 which captures at least one image of an individual, and produces a first signal representative of the at least one image.
The camera 30 may be embodied by one of various devices known in the art; these devices include, but are not limited to: a charge-coupled device (CCD) array, or a vidicon. The camera 30 may capture a single still image of the individual, or alternatively, a sequence of images which provide an animated display of the individual when viewed in succession.
The first signal produced by the camera 30 is preferably either an analog or a digital representation of pixels which form the at least one image of the individual. If the digital representation is utilized, the camera 30 may include a digitizer (not specifically 2 0 illustrated) which provides the first signal in a digital form. The digital form is preferred in that further image processing hardware, such as an image compressor (not specifically illustrated), may be included to reduce the number of bits required to represent the at least one 2 5 image .
The system further comprises a user interface 32 which allows the individual to select an image from a plurality of predet~orm; nerl images. Generally, the user interface 32 may include an input device such as one or 3 0 more buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a ~oystick, a lightpen, a trackball, a touchpad, or a touchscreen, to name a few.
In a first preferred embodiment, the user interface 32 ; n~ iF'C an array of buttons which allows the individual to select the image by performing a series of keystrokes.
3 5 In a second preferred embodiment, the individual scans through the pre-l~t~rmi n~ images, by pressing an increment 2 i 84 1-~7 WO 96/21205 PCrlUS95/14693 0 button and/or a le~ r ~ button contained in the user interface 32, until the desired image is selected.
The user interface 32 produces a second signal which indicates the image which is selected by the individual.
5 The second signal is preferably a designator of the selected image from the plurality of predetermined images.
More preferably, the designator comprises a series of bits which uniquely identifies each of the predetermined images .
Fùrther included in the system is a transmitter 34 which is responsive to both the camera 30 and the user interface 32. ~he transmitter 34 transmits the visual message in the form of a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal. The transmitter 34 may 15 include a modulator which produces the third signal modulated in ~r~n-i~nce upon the first signal and the second signal, For example, the transmitter 34 may include a radio fre~Luency modulator which produces a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first 2 0 signal and the second signal . This would be beneficial for a wireless system for transmitting the visual message.
Alternatively, the modulator may be of the variety which allows signals to be transmitted over a standard telephone line. This may be used for transmitting the visual 2 5 message to a centrally-located paging computer .
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system for forming a message for transmission to a wireless pager. The system comprises a camera 40, a user interface 42, and a transmitter 44 as in the embodiment of 3 0 FIG. 2. Optionally, an image segmenter 46 is included in the system. The image segmenter 46 extracts a predetermined object from the at least one image captured by the camera 40. Preferably, the pr~ t~ormin~d obiect includes a portion of the individual, such as the 3 5 individual ' s f ace .
The system further includes an electronic storage device 5D which contains the plurality of predet~ormin~l _ _ _ _ _ _ .
W096~21205 2 i 84 i ~7 PCTIUS95/14693 images in an electronic form. The electronic storage device 50 retrieves the selected image of the -~ predetermined images based upon the second signal produced by the user interface 42. The electronic storage device 50 may be a read-only memory, a random-access memory, a magnetic storage device, or a like device. The electronic storage device 50 may be fixed within the system, or may be removable from the system to allow for different predet,orm; n~d sets of images to be llt; l, 71~
0 A display device 52 is coupled to the camera 40 and the electronic storage device 50 to display at least one ;nPd image based upon the at least one image of the individual and the selected image of the predet-rm;nod images. The display device 52 preferably comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a pixel resolution sufficient for displaying the combined image.
Alternatively, other display devices may be employed as one with ordinary skill in the art will recognize. By including the display device 52, the individual is able to preview the visual message which is to be transmitted to the wireless pager.
As another option, the system may include an audio input device 54 which produces an audio signal based upon an acoustic pressure wave received thereby. Typically, 2 ~ the acoustic pressure wave is a spoken message produced by the individual. The audio input device 54 may be embodied by a microphone or a like transducer. The audio input device 54 is coupled to the transmitter 44 so that the transmitted signal is further based upon the audio signal.
3 0 As a further option, the user interface 42 may allow the individual to enter an ~ l rh. ric message which ~u~; nt ~ the visual message . The alphanumeric message can be entered by a series of keystrokes performed by the individual, for example. The user interface 42 converts 3 5 the ~rh~ - ic message to an electrical signal for application to the transmitter 44, which produces the transmitted signal based thereupon.
WO96/21205 ~r~,~ 411 ~7 PCr/US95/14693 0 The embodiment of FIG. 3 may be realized using a standard v; ~ orhr~n~ Here, the camera 40, the user interface 42 (a numeric key pad on the v; ~1~nphr~n,o may be employed as the user interface 42), the transmitter 44, 5 and the display device 52 are contained within the videophone. A mouthpiece of the videophone may be employed as the optional audio input device 54. The at least one image captured by the camera 40 is transmitted by the virlr~or~r~nr to a centrally-located paging computer.
10 The second signal representative of the selected image is transmitted by the videophone using DTMF (dual-tone modulated frer~uency) signals generated by the numeric key pad. The electronic storage device 50 containing the predetermined images may be located at either the paging 15 computer or the videophone. The at least ~one combined image, formed either by the paging computer or the viri-~ophnnri~, may be displayed on the display device 52 to allow for previewing of the visual message.
FIG. 4 ls a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 2 0 of reconstructing a message in a wireless pager . As ;nr~;r-~t~ofl by block 60, the method includes a step of receiving a radio frequency signal which contains a first signal representative o~ at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected 25 image of a plurality of predetermined images. The radio frequency signal may be transmitted by a paging service provider, using a ground antenna or a satellite, in response to receiving a visual paging message. As one having ordinary skill in the art will recogni~e, the radio 3 O frer~uency signal typically contains an identification signal which identifies which wireless pager is to receive the message.
The method further; nr-l ~lr~r~ a step of extracting the first signal and the second signal from the radio 3 5 frequency signal, as indicated by block 62. If the radio frequency signa~ is modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal, this step entails '`2`l 84`ll37 demodulating the radio frequency signal to extract the first signal and the second signal. The first signal is preferably either an analog or a digital representation of the pixels of the at least one image of the individual.
5 The second signal is preferably a designator of a selected image of a plurality of prestored images. Most preferably, the second signal comprises a series of digital bits which unir1uely identifies each of the prestored images.
A step of retrieving the selected image from the prestored images based upon the second signal is performed, as indicated by block 64. Preferably, this step results in providing a digital representation of pixels rr~nt A; nPt1 in the seleGted image .
As indicated by block 66, a step of displaying at least one ~ ; n~l image based upon the at least one image of the individual and the selected image is performed. If the first signal is a compressed, digital signal, the step of displaying includes a step of decompressing the first 2 0 signal . Each of the at least one combined image may comprise a corrPcr~ n~1; ng one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
Alternatively, each of the at least one combined image may comprise a first prP-l~t~rm; nf~d region and a second 2 5 pr~o~lPt~rm; ned region, wherein the selected image is displayed in the first predetPrm; nP~ region and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in the second predetermined region. Regardless, the at least one combined image may be successively displayed to 3 0 provide an animated display of the individual.
Optionally, if the radio frerluency signal contains a signal representative of an audio message, then a further step of producing at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message may be performed, as 3 5 indicated by block 70. Here, the at least one combined image may be displayed in synchronization with the at 21~41~7 WO 96~21205 PCrNS95/1403 0 least one acoustic pressure wave, so that the visual message and the audio message are synchroni~ed.
As another optlon, if the radio frequency signal contains a signal representative of an ~lpl-~- ~ric message, then a further step of displaying the alphanumeric message may be performed, as indicated by block 72.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager.
0 A receiver 80 receives a radio frequency signal which contains a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images.
Further, the radio frequency signal typically contains an identification signal which identifies which wireless pager is to receive the message. Hence, the wireless pager typically includes hardware responsive to the identification signal for detecting which messages are to be reconstructed therein.
If the radio frequency signal is modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal, then the receiver may include a demodulator (not speci~ically illustrated), as is known in the art. The demodulator acts to extract the first signal and the 2 5 second signal from the radio ~requency signal based upon a predetermined modulation scheme which is utili2ed.
The receiver 80 provides the second signal to an electronic storage device ~2 which contains the predet~-rm; ned images in an electronic form. The 3 0 ,~ rt r~rn; c storage device 82 retrieves the selected image of the predetermined images based upon the second signal.
The electronic storage device 82 may include a read-only memory, a random-access memory, a magnetic storage device, or a like device. The electronic storage device 82 may be 3 5 fixed within the wireless pager, or may be removable to allow for different preflr~tr~rm; n~d sets of images to be utili2ed .
WO 96/21205 ;~ 1 8 4 1 ~3 ~ PCrlUS95/14693 The first signal from the receiver 80 and the selected image from the electronic storage devlce 82 are communicated to a display device 84. The display device 84 displays at least one combined image based upon the at 5 least one image of the individual and the selected image.
The display device 84 may be capable of successive displaying a series of - ; nPd images to provide an animated display of the individual. Alternatively, the display device 84 may only display a single I ; nec1 image 10 based upon a still image of the individual. The display device 84 preferably comprises a liquid crystal display (~CD) having a pixel resolution sufficient for displaying the at least one combined image. Alternatively, other display devices may be employed as one with ordinary skill 15 in the art will reco 7n- 7~ .
~ ore preferably, the display device 84 has sufficient pixel resolution so that the image of the individual may be recognized by the recipient of the visual message.
Further, the display device 84 is preferably capable of 20 displaying a sufficient number of different pixel intensity levels and/or colors so that the image of the individual may be recognized.
Optionally, if the radio frequency signal contains a signal representative of an audio message, the system may 2 5 further include an audio output device 86 which produces at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message. Here, the receiver 80 extracts the signal representative of the audio message from the radio frequency signal for application to the audio output 3 0 device 86. The audio output device 86 may include a speaker or any like transducer capable of producing acoustic pressure waves in response to an electrical signal applied thereto.
The at least one combined image may be displayed in 3 5 synchronization with the at least one acoustic pressure wave so that the visual message and the audio message are synchronized. For example, a sequence of combined images wo 96m205 2 1 ~ 7 PCIIUS95/14693 may be successively displayed to corresponding with a spoken message from the individual.
Optionally, if the radio fre~uency signal contains a signal representative of an alphanumeric message, then the 5 display device 84 may further display the ~l~hAn -ric message in addition to the at least one combined image.
Here, the receiver 80 extracts the signal representative of the alphanumeric message for application to the display device 84.
Although not sper;f;r~lly illustrated, the system for reconstructing the message may be used in conjunction with other hardware contained within a wireless pager. The wireless pager may include a memory for storing received messages, and a user interface which allows a user to_ step 15 through received messages for display on the display device 84. In order to store the visual messages, the memory may store pixel representations of the combined images. Alternatively, the memory may store representations of the first and secDnd signals; e.g., the 2 0 memory stores pixel repres~rltations of the image of the individual and the designator of the selected image.
FIGS. 6-l0 schematically illustrate examples of ~ ,; n~d images in accordance with embodiments o~ the present invention. Examples of the prestored, 2 5 predetermined clip art images include: a letter-head image 90, an example of_which is illustrated in FIG. 6; a border image 92, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. ~; a graphics image 94, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 8; a scenic image 96, an example of which is 3 O illustrated in FIG. 9; and a message-slip image 98, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. l0. An image l00 of the individual is included in each of the examples of combined images.
If the individual forming the visual paging message 3 5 is representing a business or a personal concern, he/she may choose a suitable letter-head image 90 or a like image to form the visual message. The letter-head image 90 may 218~1~7 graphically contain the name of the business or personal concern .
The individual may select a suitable border image 92 or graphics image 94 to embellish the visual paging message. If the individual forming the visual paging message is on vacation, for example, he/she may choose a suitable scenic image 96 or a like image to form the visual message. The scenic image 96, and more generally any of the clip-art images, may be captured by a camera and/or artistically created.
The individual may select the message-slip image 98 to provide a conventional "while you were out" type visual message. Here, various message-slips may be selected having different illustrations which characterize the message. For example, dif~erent message-slips may contain characterizations such as "urgent", "personal", "call back", and "will call again". The message-slip image 98 may include fields which allow an alphanumeric message entered by the individual to be displayed.
2 O As earlier described, the image lO0 of the individual may be superimposed on the selected clip-art image to form the combined image. This is illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 wherein the image lO0 is superimposed on the graphics image 94 and the scenic image 96. Alternatively, the image 100 may ~e displayed in one predetermined region, while the selected clip-art image is displayed in another predetermined region. This is illustrated in FIG.
6, 7, and lO. In FIG. 6, the letter-head image 90 is displayed in a region 104 above another region 106 which ~lntA;nC the image lO0 of the individual. In FIG. 7, the border image 92 is displayed in a region 108 which surrounds another region llO c--ntA;n;n~ the image lO0 of the individual. In FIG. lO, the image lO0 of the individual is contained in a predetermined region 112 in 3 5 the message-slip image 98.
A multitude of different clip-art images may be utilized to personalize a visual message in embodiments of 2 i ~ 7 the present invention. Other clip-art images which may be popular lnclude greeting-card-type images for various occasions and sports-highlights images. Consequently, embodiments of the present invention may be applied in a variety of applications which include paging, greetings, and visual mail.
Thus, there has been described herein a concept, as well as several embodiments including a preferred embodiment of a wireless pager with prestored images.
0 Because the various embodiments of methods and systems for forming and reconstructing a visual message as herein-described utilize a prestored clip art image along with a captured image, they provide a significant improvement in pers~n~l;z;n~ a visual message which is transmitted to a wireless pager.
Additionally, the various embodiments of the present invention as herein-described use clip art images to characterize the nature of the paging message, such as being urgent or personal.
2 0 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred form specifically set out and described above.
Accordingly, it is lntended oy the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which fall~within the true sp:rit and scope of the invention.
Claims (34)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A system for forming a message for a wireless pager, the system comprising:
a camera which captures at least one image, the camera producing a first signal representative of the at least one image;
a user interface which allows an individual to select a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images, the user interface producing a second signal which indicates the selected image; and a transmitter, in communication with the camera and the user interface, which transmits a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
a display device in communication with the camera; and a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device communicating with the user interface to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal, wherein the selected image is communicated to the display device, and wherein the display device displays at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image.
a camera which captures at least one image, the camera producing a first signal representative of the at least one image;
a user interface which allows an individual to select a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images, the user interface producing a second signal which indicates the selected image; and a transmitter, in communication with the camera and the user interface, which transmits a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
a display device in communication with the camera; and a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device communicating with the user interface to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal, wherein the selected image is communicated to the display device, and wherein the display device displays at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the third signal is a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one combined image has a corresponding one of the at lease one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected image is displayed in a first predetermined region of each of the at least one combined image, and each of the at least of one image of the individual is displayed in a second predetermined region of the at least one combined image.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of predetermined images includes a plurality of clip art images.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an audio input device which produces a fourth signal in dependence upon at least one acoustic pressure wave received thereby, wherein the third signal transmitted by the transmitter is further based upon the fourth signal.
7. A system for forming a message for a wireless pager, the system comprising:
a camera which captures at least one image, the camera producing a first signal representative of the at least one image;
a user interface which allows an individual to select a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images, the user interface producing a second signal which indicates the selected image;
a transmitter, in communication with the camera and the user interface, which transmits a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
and an image segmenter which extracts a predetermined object from the at least one image, the predetermined object including at least a portion of an individual.
a camera which captures at least one image, the camera producing a first signal representative of the at least one image;
a user interface which allows an individual to select a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images, the user interface producing a second signal which indicates the selected image;
a transmitter, in communication with the camera and the user interface, which transmits a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
and an image segmenter which extracts a predetermined object from the at least one image, the predetermined object including at least a portion of an individual.
8. A system for forming a message for a wireless pager, the system comprising:
a camera which captures at least one image of an individual;
an image segmenter which extracts a predetermined object from each of the at least one image of the individual, the image segmenter producing a first signal representative of the predetermined object;
a user interface which allows the individual to select a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images, the user interface producing a second signal which indicates the selected image;
a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device communicating with the user interface to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal;
a display device in communication with the image segmenter and the storage device, the display device displaying at least one combined image based upon the predetermined object and the selected image; and a transmitter, responsive to the camera and the user interface, which transmits a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal.
a camera which captures at least one image of an individual;
an image segmenter which extracts a predetermined object from each of the at least one image of the individual, the image segmenter producing a first signal representative of the predetermined object;
a user interface which allows the individual to select a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images, the user interface producing a second signal which indicates the selected image;
a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device communicating with the user interface to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal;
a display device in communication with the image segmenter and the storage device, the display device displaying at least one combined image based upon the predetermined object and the selected image; and a transmitter, responsive to the camera and the user interface, which transmits a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal.
9. A method of forming a message for a wireless pager, the method comprising the steps of:
capturing at least one image of an individual;
producing a first signal representative of at least a portion of the at least one image of the individual;
producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images;
transmitting a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
and displaying at least one combined image based on the at least one image of the individual and the selected image.
capturing at least one image of an individual;
producing a first signal representative of at least a portion of the at least one image of the individual;
producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images;
transmitting a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
and displaying at least one combined image based on the at least one image of the individual and the selected image.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising a step of producing a fourth signal in dependence upon at least one acoustic pressure wave received, wherein the third signal is further based upon the fourth signal.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the third signal is a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising a step of displaying the at least one image of the individual for viewing by the individual.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one combined image is displayed for viewing by the individual.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein each of the at least one combined image has a corresponding one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the selected image is displayed in a first predetermined region of each of the at least one combined image, and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in a second predetermined region of the at least one combined image.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of predetermined images includes a plurality of clip art images.
17. A method of forming a message for a wireless pager, the method comprising the steps of:
capturing at least one image of an individual;
producing a first signal representative of at least a portion of each of the at least one image of the individual;
producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images;
transmitting a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
and segmenting the at least one image of the individual to extract a predetermined object, wherein the predetermined object includes at least a portion of the individual.
capturing at least one image of an individual;
producing a first signal representative of at least a portion of each of the at least one image of the individual;
producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images;
transmitting a third signal based upon the first signal and the second signal;
and segmenting the at least one image of the individual to extract a predetermined object, wherein the predetermined object includes at least a portion of the individual.
18. A method of forming a message for a wireless pager, the method comprising the steps of:
capturing at least one image of an individual;
extracting a predetermined object from the at least one image;
producing a first signal representative of the predetermined object;
producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images;
retrieving the selected image based upon the second signal;
displaying a combined image based upon the predetermined object and the selected image; and transmitting a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal.
capturing at least one image of an individual;
extracting a predetermined object from the at least one image;
producing a first signal representative of the predetermined object;
producing a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images;
retrieving the selected image based upon the second signal;
displaying a combined image based upon the predetermined object and the selected image; and transmitting a radio frequency signal modulated in dependence upon the first signal and the second signal.
19. A system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager, the system comprising:
a receiver which receives a radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal containing a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images;
a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device in communication with the receiver to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal; and a display device which communicates with the receiver and the storage device, the display device displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image;
wherein the radio frequency signal contains a third signal representative of an alphanumeric message, and wherein the at least one combined image is further based upon the alphanumeric message.
a receiver which receives a radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal containing a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images;
a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device in communication with the receiver to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal; and a display device which communicates with the receiver and the storage device, the display device displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image;
wherein the radio frequency signal contains a third signal representative of an alphanumeric message, and wherein the at least one combined image is further based upon the alphanumeric message.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein each of the at least one combined image has a corresponding one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein the radio frequency signal contains a third signal representative of an audio message, the system further comprising an audio output device which produces at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message based upon the third signal.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein the at least one combined image is displayed in synchronization with the at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message.
23. The system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of predetermined images includes a plurality of clip art images.
24. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one combined image is successively displayed to provide a display of the individual.
25. A system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager, the system comprising:
a receiver which receives a radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal containing a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images;
a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device in communication with the receiver to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal;
a display device which communicates with the receiver and the storage device, the display device displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image; and wherein the selected image is displayed in a first predetermined region of each of the at least one combined image, and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in a second predetermined region of the at least one combined image.
a receiver which receives a radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal containing a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images;
a storage device which contains the plurality of predetermined images, the storage device in communication with the receiver to retrieve the selected image based upon the second signal;
a display device which communicates with the receiver and the storage device, the display device displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image; and wherein the selected image is displayed in a first predetermined region of each of the at least one combined image, and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in a second predetermined region of the at least one combined image.
26. A method of reconstructing a message received by a wireless pager, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a radio frequency signal which contains a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of prestored images;
extracting the first signal and the second signal from the radio frequency signal;
retrieving the selected image of the plurality of prestored images based upon the second signal;
displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image; and displaying the at least one combined image to provide a display of the individual.
receiving a radio frequency signal which contains a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual and a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of prestored images;
extracting the first signal and the second signal from the radio frequency signal;
retrieving the selected image of the plurality of prestored images based upon the second signal;
displaying at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image; and displaying the at least one combined image to provide a display of the individual.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein each of the at least one combined image has a corresponding one of the at least one image of the individual superimposed on the selected image.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein the selected image is displayed in a first predetermined region of each of the at least one combined image, and each of the at least one image of the individual is displayed in a second predetermined region of the at least one combined image.
29. The method of claim 26 wherein the radio frequency signal contains a third signal representative of an audio message, the method further comprising a step of producing at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message based upon the third signal.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the at least one combined image is displayed in synchronization with the at least one acoustic pressure wave representative of the audio message.
31. The method of claim 26 wherein the radio frequency signal contains a third signal representative of an alphanumeric message, the method further comprising a step of displaying the alphanumeric message.
32. The method of claim 26 wherein the plurality of predetermined images includes a plurality of clip art images.
33. A system for forming a message for a wireless pager, the system comprising:
a camera which captures at least one image;
a user interface that allows a user to select a image from a plurality of predetermined images;
a storage device that contains the plurality of predetermined images:
a display device that displays at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image; and a transmitter responsive to the camera.
a camera which captures at least one image;
a user interface that allows a user to select a image from a plurality of predetermined images;
a storage device that contains the plurality of predetermined images:
a display device that displays at least one combined image based upon the at least one image and the selected image; and a transmitter responsive to the camera.
34. A system for reconstructing a message in a wireless pager comprising:
a receiver that receives a radio frequency signal containing a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual, a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images, and a third signal representative of an alphanumeric message; and a display device that displays a combined image based upon the at least one image of the individual, the selected image, and the alphanumeric message.
a receiver that receives a radio frequency signal containing a first signal representative of at least one image of an individual, a second signal indicative of a selected image of a plurality of predetermined images, and a third signal representative of an alphanumeric message; and a display device that displays a combined image based upon the at least one image of the individual, the selected image, and the alphanumeric message.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/366,156 US5701258A (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1994-12-29 | Wireless pager with prestored images and methods and systems for use therewith |
| US08/366,156 | 1994-12-29 | ||
| PCT/US1995/014693 WO1996021205A1 (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1995-11-13 | Wireless pager with prestored images |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2184187A1 CA2184187A1 (en) | 1996-07-11 |
| CA2184187C true CA2184187C (en) | 1999-08-10 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002184187A Expired - Fee Related CA2184187C (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1995-11-13 | Wireless pager with prestored images |
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| US (1) | US5701258A (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2800413B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR0185002B1 (en) |
| AU (2) | AU678119B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2184187C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19581544T1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2301466B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996021205A1 (en) |
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| US6675386B1 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 2004-01-06 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Apparatus for video access and control over computer network, including image correction |
| US6424321B1 (en) | 1993-10-22 | 2002-07-23 | Kopin Corporation | Head-mounted matrix display |
| US7426264B1 (en) * | 1994-01-05 | 2008-09-16 | Henderson Daniel A | Method and apparatus for improved personal communication devices and systems |
| US7266186B1 (en) * | 1994-01-05 | 2007-09-04 | Intellect Wireless Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved paging receiver and system |
| US5805981A (en) * | 1994-06-06 | 1998-09-08 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Communication terminal and communication system with image display and image storage section |
| US5666159A (en) | 1995-04-24 | 1997-09-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic camera system with programmable transmission capability |
| JP2872078B2 (en) * | 1995-05-16 | 1999-03-17 | 静岡日本電気株式会社 | Wireless selective call receiver with display function |
| US6313736B1 (en) * | 1996-04-01 | 2001-11-06 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus in a selective call communication system for identifying a category of information associated with a message |
| US5870683A (en) * | 1996-09-18 | 1999-02-09 | Nokia Mobile Phones Limited | Mobile station having method and apparatus for displaying user-selectable animation sequence |
| US5973612A (en) * | 1996-09-19 | 1999-10-26 | Microsoft Corporation | Flexible object notification |
| US7113541B1 (en) * | 1997-08-26 | 2006-09-26 | Color Kinetics Incorporated | Method for software driven generation of multiple simultaneous high speed pulse width modulated signals |
| US6611681B2 (en) * | 1997-09-26 | 2003-08-26 | Daniel A. Henderson | Method and apparatus for an improved call interrupt feature in a cordless telephone answering device |
| KR100697833B1 (en) | 1998-10-21 | 2007-03-20 | 아메리칸 캘카어 인코포레이티드 | Positional camera and gps data interchange device |
| GB2343586A (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2000-05-10 | Nec Technologies | Image display for mobile phones |
| JP2000253111A (en) * | 1999-03-01 | 2000-09-14 | Toshiba Corp | Radio portable terminal |
| AU7346800A (en) | 1999-09-02 | 2001-03-26 | Automated Business Companies | Communication and proximity authorization systems |
| US7546141B2 (en) | 2000-05-23 | 2009-06-09 | Robert Leon | Hybrid communication system and method |
| US9622058B1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2017-04-11 | Timothy G. Newman | Apparatus, system, methods and network for communicating information associated with digital images |
| US7978219B1 (en) | 2000-08-30 | 2011-07-12 | Kevin Reid Imes | Device, network, server, and methods for providing digital images and associated processing information |
| US8326352B1 (en) | 2000-09-06 | 2012-12-04 | Kevin Reid Imes | Device, network, server, and methods for providing service requests for wireless communication devices |
| US6965785B2 (en) * | 2001-07-17 | 2005-11-15 | Wildseed Ltd. | Cooperative wireless luminescent imagery |
| GB2388748A (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2003-11-19 | Hewlett Packard Co | A Camera which Transmits Image Data to a Local Receiver which Transmits Image Data to a Network |
| US20060212818A1 (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2006-09-21 | Doug-Heon Lee | Method for providing multimedia message |
| TW200520512A (en) * | 2003-12-04 | 2005-06-16 | Arima Computer Corp | Portable communication device |
| JP5065060B2 (en) * | 2008-01-16 | 2012-10-31 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging apparatus and control method thereof |
| US8442493B2 (en) * | 2008-05-30 | 2013-05-14 | Hayes S. Raffle | Messaging device |
| US8548434B2 (en) * | 2008-05-30 | 2013-10-01 | Hayes S. Raffle | Messaging device |
| US20100237991A1 (en) * | 2009-03-17 | 2010-09-23 | Prabhu Krishnanand | Biometric scanning arrangement and methods thereof |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4336524A (en) * | 1979-07-17 | 1982-06-22 | Levine Alfred B | Video display pager receiver with memory |
| JPS58188283A (en) * | 1982-04-28 | 1983-11-02 | フジテック株式会社 | Spiral escalator |
| US4951039A (en) * | 1988-04-18 | 1990-08-21 | Motorola, Inc. | Animated data display interleaving |
| EP0404007B1 (en) * | 1989-06-19 | 1995-09-06 | Nec Corporation | Method for superimposing independently transmitted data on pager display |
| US5173688A (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1992-12-22 | Motorola, Inc. | Pager with display updateable by incoming message |
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| US5446678A (en) * | 1992-12-18 | 1995-08-29 | Hewlett-Packard Corporation | Transmission of information over an alphanumeric paging network |
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1994
- 1994-12-29 US US08/366,156 patent/US5701258A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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1995
- 1995-11-13 KR KR1019960704754A patent/KR0185002B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-11-13 CA CA002184187A patent/CA2184187C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-11-13 WO PCT/US1995/014693 patent/WO1996021205A1/en active Application Filing
- 1995-11-13 JP JP8520964A patent/JP2800413B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-11-13 AU AU41551/96A patent/AU678119B2/en not_active Ceased
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| CA2184187A1 (en) | 1996-07-11 |
| AU678119B2 (en) | 1997-05-15 |
| WO1996021205A1 (en) | 1996-07-11 |
| AU4155196A (en) | 1996-07-24 |
| AU1914597A (en) | 1997-07-31 |
| KR0185002B1 (en) | 1999-04-15 |
| GB9617831D0 (en) | 1996-10-09 |
| JPH09506755A (en) | 1997-06-30 |
| US5701258A (en) | 1997-12-23 |
| JP2800413B2 (en) | 1998-09-21 |
| AU691774B2 (en) | 1998-05-21 |
| GB2301466A (en) | 1996-12-04 |
| DE19581544T1 (en) | 1997-04-24 |
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