USER IMAGE INSERTION INTO A TEXT MESSAGE

• US 20130147933A1
• Filed: 05/07/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Inventors: Kulas, Charles J.
• Application Number:
  US13/465,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147933A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• 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 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image

Abstract

Embodiments generally relate to including an image in association with a text message. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal from the text input interface to create the text message, and receiving a signal from the user control to initiate face image capture. The method also includes providing an image of the user'"'"'s face by using the camera in response to the signal from the user control. The method also includes defining an emoticon derived from the captured image, and generating an image indicator in association with the text message. The method also includes sending the text message with the associated image indicator so that when the text message is displayed on a recipient'"'"'s device an emoticon is displayed in association with the text message.

Claims

1. A method for inserting an emoticon in a text message, wherein a user operates a mobile device to create a text message, the mobile device including a text input interface, camera and user control, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from the text input interface to create the text message;

receiving a signal from the user control to initiate face image capture;

providing an image of the user'"'"'s face by using the camera in response to the signal from the user control;

defining an emoticon derived from the captured image;

generating an image indicator in association with the text message; and

sending the text message with the associated image indicator so that when the text message is displayed on a recipient'"'"'s device an emoticon is displayed in association with the text message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the image comprises:

taking a photo of the user; and

storing the photo in a memory location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the image comprises:

taking a video of the user; and

storing the video in a memory location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the image comprises retrieving the image from a storage device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the image comprises enabling the user to select a first image of a plurality of images.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising cropping the image so that a predetermined portion of the image is a face of the user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the text message is composed by one more of the user typing, talking and using speech-to-text conversion, and gesturing and using gesture-to-text conversion.

8. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions thereon, the instructions when executed by a processor cause the processor to:

receive a signal from the text input interface to create the text message;

receive a signal from the user control to initiate face image capture;

provide an image of the user'"'"'s face by using the camera in response to the signal from the user control;

define an emoticon derived from the captured image;

generate an image indicator in association with the text message; and

send the text message with the associated image indicator so that when the text message is displayed on a recipient'"'"'s device an emoticon is displayed in association with the text message.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

take a photo of the user; and

store the photo in a memory location.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

take a video of the user; and

store the video in a memory location.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to retrieve the image from a storage device.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to enable the user to select a first image of a plurality of images.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to crop the image so that a predetermined portion of the image is a face of the user.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the text message is composed by one more of the user typing, talking and using speech-to-text conversion, and gesturing and using gesture-to-text conversion.

15. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors, and when executed operable to;

receive a signal from the text input interface to create the text message;

receive a signal from the user control to initiate face image capture;

provide an image of the user'"'"'s face by using the camera in response to the signal from the user control;

define an emoticon derived from the captured image;

generate an image indicator in association with the text message; and

send the text message with the associated image indicator so that when the text message is displayed on a recipient'"'"'s device an emoticon is displayed in association with the text message.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to:

take a photo of the user; and

store the photo in a memory location.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to:

take a video of the user; and

store the video in a memory location.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to select a first image of a plurality of images.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to crop the image so that a predetermined portion of the image is a face of the user.

20. A method, for capturing an image of a user typing a text message and inserting the image into the text message, the method comprising:

receiving a first signal from a user input device to define text in a text message that the user is typing;

receiving a second signal from a user input device to indicate that the user is selecting image insertion;

providing an image of the user in response to the second signal;

inserting the captured image into the text message; and

sending the text message along with the captured image for display of the text message along with the image to an intended recipient.