Image transfer over mobile radio network
First Claim
1. A method of transferring image data from a mobile entity through a mobile radio infrastructure to a recipient, the method involving:
- (a) taking a photograph using camera functionality of the mobile entity and providing, at the mobile entity, first image data and second image data respectively corresponding to low and high resolution images of what was photographed;
(b) transferring the first image data from the mobile entity, through the mobile radio infrastructure, to a service system;
(c) transferring the first image data from the service system to at least one recipient, over a communications system to which the service system is connected;
(d) at the service system, receiving back any response sent by any of said at least one recipient for indicating whether that recipient wishes to receive the second image data corresponding to the first image data transferred in step (c) and, if so, whether the second image data is to be transferred to the recipient immediately;
(e) where any said response received in step (d) indicates that a said recipient wishes immediately to receive the second image data, immediately transferring the second image data from the mobile entity to the service system over the mobile radio infrastructure, whereas if only responses for non-immediate receipt of the second image data are received in step (d). transferring the second image data from the mobile entity to the service system by a low-tariff communication; and
(f) transferring the second image data from the service system to the or each said recipient who has indicated they wish to receive said second image data, any recipient who has indicated in a said response that they wish to receive the second image data immediately being sent the second image data as soon as received by the service system in step (e).
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Accused Products
Abstract
To enable low cost distribution of pictures from a mobile entity that incorporates digital camera functionality, the mobile entity (20) generates both a high resolution picture image (81) and a low resolution thumbnail (80). This thumbnail (80) is distributed via a mobile radio infrastructure to a service system (40) that then transfers the thumbnail to specified recipients (60). After viewing the thumbnail (80), each recipient (60) indicates to the service system (40) whether they wish to receive the high resolution image (81) and, if so, whether it is to be transferred immediately or at the next. The service system (40) effects transfer of the high resolution image (81) accordingly. In other embodiments, distribution of the high resolution image is effected independently of the service system.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of transferring image data from a mobile entity through a mobile radio infrastructure to a recipient, the method involving:
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(a) taking a photograph using camera functionality of the mobile entity and providing, at the mobile entity, first image data and second image data respectively corresponding to low and high resolution images of what was photographed;
(b) transferring the first image data from the mobile entity, through the mobile radio infrastructure, to a service system;
(c) transferring the first image data from the service system to at least one recipient, over a communications system to which the service system is connected;
(d) at the service system, receiving back any response sent by any of said at least one recipient for indicating whether that recipient wishes to receive the second image data corresponding to the first image data transferred in step (c) and, if so, whether the second image data is to be transferred to the recipient immediately;
(e) where any said response received in step (d) indicates that a said recipient wishes immediately to receive the second image data, immediately transferring the second image data from the mobile entity to the service system over the mobile radio infrastructure, whereas if only responses for non-immediate receipt of the second image data are received in step (d). transferring the second image data from the mobile entity to the service system by a low-tariff communication; and
(f) transferring the second image data from the service system to the or each said recipient who has indicated they wish to receive said second image data, any recipient who has indicated in a said response that they wish to receive the second image data immediately being sent the second image data as soon as received by the service system in step (e). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
set in by the user of the mobile entity using the latter;
selected by the user of the mobile entity from recipient data held on the service system;
preset in the service system.
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5. A method according to claim 1, wherein where a said recipient has indicated in a said response that they wish to receive the second image data immediately, the service system causes the cost of transferring the second image data from the mobile entity to the service system via the mobile radio infrastructure to be charged to the recipient.
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6. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one said response includes a bid price for the second image data the service system sending the second image data to the or each recipient making an accepted bid.
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7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the service system collates the responses received back from multiple recipients.
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8. A service system comprising:
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a receiving arrangement for receiving image data from a mobile entity via a mobile radio infrastructure;
a low-resolution-image distribution arrangement for distributing low-resolution image data, received by the receiving arrangement and representative of an image, to at least one recipient;
a response-handling arrangement for receiving back any response sent by any of said at least one recipient for indicating whether that recipient wishes to receive high-resolution image data for said image and, if so, whether that data is to be transferred to the recipient immediately;
the response-handling arrangement being arranged, where any said response indicates that a said recipient wishes immediately to receive the high-resolution image data, to request immediate transfer of that data from the mobile entity but otherwise not to make such said request without regard to cost; and
a high-resolution-image distribution arrangement for sending the high-resolution image data, after receipt by the receiving arrangement, to the or each said recipient who has indicated they wish to receive that data;
the high-resolution-image distribution arrangement being arranged to send on the high-resolution image data, as soon as received by the receiving arrangement, to any said recipient who has indicated in a said response that they wish to receive the high-resolution image data immediately.
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Specification