Device, network, server, and methods for providing service requests for wireless communication devices

• US 8,326,352 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AI Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kevin Reid Imes
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin Reid
• Primary Examiner(s): Cai, Wayne
• Application Number:
  US09/943,629
• Time in Patent Office: 4,114 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.1, 455/566.2, 455/405, 455/456.2, 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/403, 455/41.2, 455/435.1, 455/406, 455/410, 455/411, 455/418, 455/419, 455/414.1, 348/333.13, 3482312-2313, 348/207.99, 34823199-23103, 348/208.99, 348/208.7, 348/208.11, 345/173
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00389 Programmable function keys, e.g. for one-touch operation H04N1/00387 takes precedence; for automation of transmitter jobs H04N1/32058
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A wireless communication device operable as a digital image capturing device (wireless digital camera) may be used to associate processing information with a captured image. The wireless digital camera may communicate information to a wireless network server, such as a WAP server, and communicate the information in a desirable format to a service request process server. The service request process server may then process the request to provide the service requested by the wireless digital camera.

Claims

1. A wireless enabled electronic communication device comprising:

a user interface including a plurality of digital image service request function buttons operably coupled to a digital camera and a communication module operable to connect to a wireless data communication network to determine digital image service availability in response to a user selecting one of the digital image service request function buttons; and

a memory device operably coupled to the digital image service request function buttons to store a digital image and provide the digital image based on availability of the requested digital image service;

wherein the digital image service request function buttons are reprogrammable;

the memory device operable to store a reference to the selected digital image service request function button if the service is unavailable; and

the memory device operable to store the digital image in association with the reference until the service is available.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising the communication module operable to communicate a device identifier and a digital image service request identifier to the wireless data communication network for processing the requested digital image service.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein one of the digital image service request function buttons comprises a digital image upload service request function button.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein one of the digital image service request function buttons comprises a digital image print service request function button.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein one of the digital image service request function buttons comprises a digital image email service request function button.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein one of the digital image service request function buttons comprises a digital image message service request function button.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising an Internet service access function button.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an Email service access function button.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the reference includes an image message service request reference.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the reference include an image upload service request reference.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the reference includes an email service request reference.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a communication module operable to enable access if the user subscribes to the requested digital image service, prior to communicating the digital image.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein one of the digital image service request function buttons includes a graphical digital image service request function icon displayed within a graphical user interface of the user interface.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a graphical user interface operable to display a web browser including a selectable link operably associated with determining availability of an Internet based service.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein one of the digital image service request function buttons initiates plural service requests in response to the user selecting the digital image service request function button.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the plural services includes at least two of an internet service, an email service, a messaging service, a USB communication service, a modem communication service, a digital image upload service, a digital image print service, a digital image email service, or a digital image messaging service.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising a graphical user interface operable to display a digital image payment service request function icon operable to initiate payment for the requested digital image service.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the cellular communication device includes a personal communications services enabled cell phone.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the cellular communication device includes a GPRS enabled personal digital assistant (PDA).

20. The device of claim 1 further comprising housing including the digital camera and the communication module housed within the housing and operable as a cellular communication device.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein the cellular communication device includes a UMTS enabled cell phone.

22. A digital image capturing device comprising:

a digital camera operable to record digital images to be used in association with a service request; and

a service request enabled communication module operable in response to selection of one of a plurality of physical buttons to determine availability of the service request and communicate at least one of the digital images to a destination in response to the availability of the service;

wherein the communication module is operable to store a reference to the selected service request if the service is unavailable; and

wherein the communication module is operable to store one of the digital images in associated with the reference until the service is available.

23. The device of claim 22 further comprising a traditional print service request function button.

24. The device of claim 23 further comprising a Bluetooth-enabled communication module operable to communicate the traditional print service request and the at least one digital image in response to available traditional print service.

25. The device of claim 23 further comprising an Infrared enabled communication module operable to communicate the traditional print service request and the at least one digital image in response to available, traditional print service.

26. The device of claim 22 further comprising:

a USB enabled port operable to communicate a traditional print service request in response to a user coupling a cable to the USB enabled port; and

a program of instructions identified in association with the traditional print service request to provide communication of the at least one digital image.

27. The device of claim 22 further comprising a counter operably associated with determining a number of prepaid digital images available to be captured in association with a print service operable to convert the prepaid digital images to traditional print photos.

28. The device of claim 22 further comprising a removable memory card operable to store the at least one digital image.

29. The device of claim 22 further comprising a reprogrammable Email and Internet service request function button operably associated with the Email and Internet service request.

30. The device of claim 22 farther comprising an Email service request operable to request an Email service using a terrestrial communication medium.

31. The device of claim 22 further comprising a cellular telephone.

32. The device of claim 22 further comprising a single-use digital camera including a traditional print service request enabled communication module, the single-use digital camera, including a pre-paid number of exposures for providing traditional photo prints in association with the traditional print service.

33. The device of claim 22 further comprising a PDA.