Estimating shared image device operational capabilities or resources

• US 9,001,215 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Rinaldo, Jr., John D., Jung, Edward K. Y., Levien, Royce A., Lord, Robert W., Malamud, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trehan, Akshay
• Application Number:
  US11/998,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20080219589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,687 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.12, 348/211.14, 348/231.9, 348/333.13, 348/372, 348/207.1, 715/751, 715/737, 715/526
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00068 Calculating or estimating
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00291 with receiver circuitry television receiver circuitry per se H04N5/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00899 Detection of supply level or supply failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33328 Resolution

Abstract

This disclosure describes a number of devices or techniques that can be capable of obtaining an operational capacity for a shared image device; estimating at least one operational resource to perform a transformation of one or more images based at least in part on the obtaining the operational capacity; and sharing the one or more images with at least one other shared image device in a manner that performs the transformation of the one or more images.

Claims

1. A shared image device, comprising:

circuitry configured for receiving, at the shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion;

circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device;

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level;

circuitry configured for, if the shared image device has the sufficient energy, at least;

converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels; and

signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device; and

circuitry configured for, if the shared image device does not have the sufficient energy, at least;

preparing one or more instructions associated with at least another shared image device converting the at least one image to the received at least one number of pixels;

signaling that the at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device and that the resolution conversion was not performed on the at least one image; and

responsive to a request received to share the at least one image, sending the at least one image and the prepared one or more instructions via at least one network connection of the shared image device.

2. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for sending the at least one image and the prepared one or more instructions via at least one network connection of the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for sending the at least one image responsive to a request received subsequent to signaling that the at least one image is at least partially available for sharing.

3. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for sending the at least one image and the prepared one or more instructions via at least one network connection of the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for sending the at least one image and the received at least one number of pixels responsive to a request received from a printer coupled with the shared image device via at least one wired connection.

4. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one battery power consumption for the shared image device to convert at least one image to at least one higher resolution, the at least one higher resolution including at least the received at least one number of pixels.

5. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one battery power consumption for the shared image device to combine one or more first pixel values from the at least one image with one or more second pixel values from at least one portion of at least one other image.

6. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one battery power consumption for the shared image device to combine one or more first pixel values from the at least one image with one or more images second pixel values from at least one portion of at least one other image to derive at least one panoramic image.

7. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one battery power consumption for the shared image device to convert at least one image to at least one lower resolution, the at least one lower resolution based at least partially on the received at least one number of pixels.

8. The shared image device of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured for controlling at least partially with a user interface an operation of the shared image device.

9. The shared image device of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured for automatically terminating at least part of an operation of the shared image device.

10. The shared image device of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured for terminating at least partially with a user interface an operation of the shared image device.

11. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device based at least partially on at least some prior device history related to battery usage of the shared image device.

12. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at the shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for receiving at least (i) the at least one selection of at least one image and (ii) at least one number of pixels for a resolution of the at least one image following conversion of the at least one image.

13. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at a shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for receiving at least (i) the at least one selection of at least one image, (ii) the at least one number of pixels, and (iii) at least one identification of at least one target device for sharing of the at least one image.

14. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at a shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for receiving at least (i) the at least one selection of at least one image, (ii) the at least one number of pixels, and (iii) at least one identification of at least one target device coupled with the shared image device via at least one wired connection for sharing of the at least one image.

15. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at a shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for providing a selection opportunity via a user interface of the shared image device enabling a user to input at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion by the shared image device prior to sharing and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion; and

circuitry configured for receiving the at least one indication via the user interface of the shared image device.

16. The method shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at a shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for providing a selection opportunity via a user interface of the shared image device enabling a user to input at least one indication of at least one number of pixels for a resolution of at least one image following conversion of the at least one image;

circuitry configured for receiving at least one number of pixels via the user interface;

circuitry configured for providing at least one indication via the user interface of at least one number of images stored on the shared image device which are capable of being resolution-converted based at least partially on at least one energy level associated with the shared image device and the received at least one number of pixels;

circuitry configured for providing a selection opportunity via a user interface of the shared image device enabling a user to input at least one indication of at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion by the shared image device prior to sharing; and

circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication of at least one selection of at least one image for resolution conversion and sharing via the user interface of the shared image device.

17. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at a shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication of (i) the at least one selection of at least one image, (ii) the at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion, and (iii) at least one email address, the at least one email address including at least one identification of at least one target device for sharing the at least one image.

18. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for receiving, at a shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion comprises:

circuitry configured for receiving, at a smartphone, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the smartphone for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion.

19. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one level of remaining battery life for the shared image device.

20. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one remaining life expectancy of at least one battery of the shared image device.

21. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device based at least partially on at least some prior device history of the shared image device.

22. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on at least some prior device history related to resolution conversion.

23. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on at least some prior device history related to battery usage of the shared image device during at least one previous resolution conversion.

24. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device, the shared image device including at least a smartphone.

25. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on (i) the received at least one selection of at least one image, (ii) the received at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion, and (iii) the estimated at least one energy level.

26. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on (i) the received at least one selection of at least one image, (ii) the received at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion, (iii) at least some prior device history related to battery usage of the shared image device during at least one previous resolution conversion, and (vi) the estimated at least one energy level.

27. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient battery life of at least a designated part of a total battery life for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the received at least one indication and at least one estimated remaining battery life.

28. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device, the shared image device including at least a smartphone, has a sufficient battery life of at least a designated part of a total battery life for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the received at least one indication and at least one estimated remaining battery life of the smartphone.

29. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels comprises:

circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image from an original at least one number of pixels of the at least one image to the received at least one number of pixels.

30. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels comprises:

circuitry configured for converting the resolution of a thumbnail of the at least one image to at least one higher number of pixels of the at least one image.

31. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels comprises:

circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image to a thumbnail of the at least one image.

32. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels comprises:

circuitry configured for converting the resolution of the at least one image at the shared image device, the shared image device including at least a smartphone.

33. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for signaling to at least one email program of the shared image device, the shared image device including at least a smartphone, that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for emailing via the at least one email program.

34. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sending to a device coupled with the shared image device via a wired connection.

35. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sending to a printer coupled with the shared image device via a wired connection.

36. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing another shared image device; and

circuitry configured for, responsive to a request received to share the converted at least one image, sending the converted at least one image via at least one network connection of the shared image device.

37. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for signaling that the at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device and that the resolution conversion was not performed on the at least one image comprises:

circuitry configured for signaling that at least some data related to the at least one image is available for sharing with at least another shared image device and that the resolution conversion was not performed on the at least one image.

38. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device comprises:

circuitry configured for signaling that at least some data related to the converted at least one image is available for sharing with at least another shared image device.

39. The shared image device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the circuitry configured for receiving at least one indication and the circuitry configured for estimating at least one energy level comprises:

circuitry configured for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy designated for one or more resolution conversion operations, the designated part being less than the total energy.

40. A shared image device, comprising:

means for receiving, at the shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion by the and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion;

means for estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device;

means for determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the means for receiving at least one indication and the means for estimating at least one energy level;

means for, if the shared image device has the sufficient energy, at least;

converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels; and

signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device; and

means for, if the shared image device does not have the sufficient energy, at least;

preparing one or more instructions associated with at least another shared image device converting the at least one image to the received at least one number of pixels;

signaling that the at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device and that the resolution conversion was not performed on the at least one image; and

responsive to a request received to share the at least one image, sending the at least one image and the prepared one or more instructions via at least one network connection of the shared image device.

41. A system, comprising:

a shared image device; and

one or more instructions that, when executed on the shared image device, cause the shared image device to at least;

receive, at the shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion;

estimate at least one energy level for the shared image device;

determine whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the received at least one indication and the estimated at least one energy level;

if the shared image device has the sufficient energy, at least;

convert the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels; and

signal that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device; and

if the shared image device does not have the sufficient energy, at least;

preparing one or more instructions associated with at least another shared image device converting the at least one image to the received at least one number of pixels;

signal that the at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device and that the resolution conversion was not performed on the at least one image; and

responsive to a request received to share the at least one image, send the at least one image and the prepared one or more instructions via at least one network connection of the shared image device.

42. A method for a shared image device, comprising:

receiving, at the shared image device, at least one indication of (i) at least one selection of at least one image stored on the shared image device for a resolution conversion and (ii) at least one number of pixels for the resolution conversion;

estimating at least one energy level for the shared image device;

determining whether the shared image device has a sufficient energy of at least a designated part of a total energy for the resolution conversion based at least partially on the received at least one indication and the estimated at least one energy level;

if the shared image device has the sufficient energy, at least;

converting the resolution of the at least one image to the at least one number of pixels; and

signaling that the converted at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device; and

if the shared image device does not have the sufficient energy, at least;

preparing one or more instructions associated with at least another shared image device converting the at least one image to the received at least one number of pixels;

signaling that the at least one image is at least partially available for sharing with at least another shared image device and that the resolution conversion was not performed on the at least one image, and

responsive to a request received to share the at least one image, sending the at least one image and the prepared one or more instructions via at least one network connection of the shared image device.