U.S. patent application number 10/004318 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-09 for method of displaying a picture file on a cellular telephone.
This patent application is currently assigned to LAVAFLOW, LLP. Invention is credited to King, Christina Judeen, King, John Joseph.
Application Number | 20020055373 10/004318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26938209 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020055373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King, John Joseph ; et
al. |
May 9, 2002 |
Method of displaying a picture file on a cellular telephone
Abstract
A method of displaying a picture file on a cellular telephone,
the method comprising the steps of receiving a picture file at the
cellular telephone; storing the picture file in a memory of the
cellular telephone; and displaying the picture file as a screen
saver on a display of the cellular telephone when a screen saver
condition is detected.
Inventors: |
King, John Joseph; (Wheaton,
IL) ; King, Christina Judeen; (Wheaton, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John J. King
1481 Cantigny Way
Wheaton
IL
60187
US
|
Assignee: |
LAVAFLOW, LLP
Wheaton
IL
|
Family ID: |
26938209 |
Appl. No.: |
10/004318 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60311982 |
Aug 13, 2001 |
|
|
|
60246773 |
Nov 8, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 ;
455/414.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72427 20210101;
H04M 1/72448 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 ;
455/550; 455/414 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of displaying a picture file on a cellular telephone,
said method comprising the steps of: receiving at least one picture
file at said cellular telephone; storing said at least one picture
file in a memory of said cellular telephone; and displaying said at
least one picture file as a screen saver on a display of said
cellular telephone when a screen saver condition is detected.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving at least
one picture file at said cellular telephone comprises coupling said
at least one picture file to said cellular telephone from a device
remote from said cellular telephone.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving at least
one picture file at said cellular telephone comprises coupling said
at least one picture file to said cellular telephone from a
computer.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving at least
one picture file at said cellular telephone comprises coupling said
at least one picture file to said cellular telephone by a wired
protocol by way of a telecommunications network.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving at least
one picture file at said cellular telephone comprises downloading
said at least one picture file to said cellular telephone by a
wireless protocol from a telecommunications network.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving at least
one picture file at said cellular telephone comprises downloading
said at least one picture file to said cellular telephone as an
attachment to an email.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of displaying said at
least one picture file comprises displaying a photograph on said
display of said cellular telephone.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of displaying
content relevant information with said picture file on said display
of said cellular telephone.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of providing a
user interface to enable a user to display a predetermined picture
file downloaded to said cellular telephone as a screen saver.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of allowing a
user to access a program that enables the display of said at least
one picture file as a screen saver from a device remote from said
cellular telephone.
11. A method of displaying a picture file on a cellular telephone,
said method comprising the steps of: providing a display on said
cellular telephone; receiving said picture file at said cellular
telephone by way of a data connection; and displaying said picture
file as a screen saver on a display of said cellular telephone when
a screen saver condition is detected.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of receiving said
picture file at said cellular telephone by way of a data connection
comprises receiving said picture file used by software for
displaying said picture file as a screen saver by way of a
telecommunication network.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of receiving said
picture file at said cellular telephone by way of a data connection
comprises receiving said picture file as an attachment to an
email.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of displaying
content relevant information with said picture file on said display
of said cellular telephone.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of allowing a
user to access a program that enables the display of said picture
file as a screen saver from a device remote from said cellular
telephone.
16. A method of displaying a picture file on a cellular telephone,
said method comprising the steps of: providing a data communication
link to said cellular telephone; downloading at least one picture
file to said cellular telephone; storing said at least one picture
file in a memory location of said cellular telephone accessible in
a screen saver mode; and displaying said at least one picture file
as a screen saver on a display of said cellular telephone when in
said screen saver mode.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of downloading at
least one picture file to said cellular telephone comprises
coupling a photograph to said cellular telephone from a device
remote from said cellular telephone.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of downloading at
least one picture file to said cellular telephone comprises
coupling a picture file to said cellular telephone by a wireless
protocol.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of downloading
content relevant information associated with said picture file to
said cellular telephone.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of allowing a
user to access a program that enables the display a picture file as
a screen saver from a device remote from said cellular telephone.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention relates to U.S. application Ser. No.
______, entitled Method of Providing a Screen Saver on a Cellular
Telephone (LF102US), and U.S. application Ser. No. ______, entitled
Method of Downloading a Screen Saver to a Cellular Telephone
(LF103US), both filed on Nov. 2, 2001 by the same inventors as the
present invention and assigned to the Assignee of the present
invention.
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY
[0002] Applicants claim priority of U.S. Application Ser No.
60/246,773, filed on Nov. 8, 2000, and U.S. Application Ser. No.
60/311,982, filed on Aug. 13, 2001, both filed by the same
inventors as the present invention and assigned to the Assignee of
the present invention, the entire applications of which are
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the display of picture
files, and more particularly to a method of displaying a picture
file on a cellular phone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] As individuals spend more time in front of their computers
or other electronic devices having displays, individuals need
additional features that personalize their devices and provide a
diversion from their fast paced lives. Common sources of a
diversion for individuals with access to computers include personal
picture files and screen savers. While individuals may have
personal picture files stored on or accessible from their
computers, the personal picture files need to be accessed from a
stored location or as an attachment to an email. There is currently
no tool that enables a user to easily access personal picture files
on such devices.
[0005] Similarly, screen savers can be entertaining and provide a
diversion. However, some early conventional screen savers had
limited utility. Accordingly, screen savers were developed for
providing additional information with the content of the screen
saver. With the increased access and popularity of the Internet,
some screen savers were developed Which provided current weather
information with an outdoor scene associated with a particular
city. The scene could change from a sunny morning, to a rainy
afternoon, to a star-filled night. The screen saver could also be
customized to display the temperature and weather forecast for a
particular area by entering a zip code. The screen saver would also
provide links to popular content areas of a weather web site.
However, such screen savers were significantly limited a particular
scene provided by the software or service provider.
[0006] Other screen savers were developed to provide more advanced
information. Information "feeds" received from multiple information
sources are aggregated, reformatted and stored in a personalized
real time information display system. When the display system
receives a request from a user having a personal computer, the
system was arranged to respond with information needed to display a
screen saver that includes personalized, up-to-date information,
such as traffic, weather and sports, that is of interest to that
particular user. Each user had a personalized user profile
indicating the categories or types of information that the user
desires to receive, such as sports information, weather, investment
advisories, and so on, and parameters that specify, for that user,
the exact information desired to be received in each category. If
the user's personal computer display had remained inactive for a
predetermined period of time, the screen saver was activated,
causing the personal computer to access the service node, and after
interchange of prestored user identification and password data,
retrieve information, obtained by the system from a variety of
sources, based on the user's individual profile. The retrieved
information is displayed on the screen without interrupting the
screen saver function, and the displayed personalized data is
thereafter updated in the same manner, at user-specified time
intervals. While such screen saver systems are more advanced and
provide additional personalized information beyond weather, such
systems are limited in the display of the content and the user
adaptability of the system.
[0007] Even more advanced systems were developed to provide
user-selected content to a user on demand, and as a screen saver.
In conventional information and advertising distribution system, a
data server stores and updates a database of information items and
advertisements. The information items and advertisements are each
categorized so that each has an associated information category.
Workstations remotely located from the data server each include a
display device, a communication interface for receiving at least a
subset of the information items and advertisements in the data
server's database and local memory for storing the information
items and advertisements received from the data server. An
information administrator m each workstation establishes
communication with the data server from time to time so as to
update the information items and advertisements stored in local
memory with at least a subset of the information items and
advertisements stored by the data server. An information display
controller in each workstation displays on the workstation's
display device at least a subset of the information items and
advertisements stored in local memory when the workstation meets
predefined idleness criteria. At least a subset of the workstations
includes a profiler for storing subscriber profile data. The
subscriber profile data represents subscriber information viewing
preferences, indicating information categories for which the
subscriber does and does not want to view information items. The
information display controller includes a filter for excluding from
the information items displayed on the display device those
information items inconsistent with the subscriber profile data.
However, such systems provide information which is impersonal, and
do not allow for personalization of content such as picture file
content.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for
providing content relevant information with a user's picture file
for display of a user's device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a system level diagram of a network for providing
content specific information according to the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is block diagram of a service provider interacting
with a device according to the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a display device according to
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display showing a toolbar
according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a
display showing a plurality of toolbars according to the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a toolbar on the display of
FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of a toolbar according to
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a screen for entering information associated with
a picture file according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 a flow chart showing the operation of the screen for
entering information of FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an alternate embodiment of
the flow chart showing the operation of the screen for entering
information of FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information according to an alternate embodiment
of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information comprising advertisements according to
an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information according to predetermined formats in
an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information according to user selectable features
in an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information as a screen saver according to an
alternate embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the method of displaying
content relevant information through a user interface having
multiple toolbars according to an alternate embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present disclosure relates to providing content relevant
information related to a picture file, and particular user
interfaces for providing such information. In particular, the
present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for providing
content relevant information associated with a picture file by
displaying a user interface for accessing a plurality of picture
files, coupling content relevant information to a selected picture
file, and displaying the selected picture and the content relevant
information on a display. The present disclosure further includes a
method and for providing the content relevant information via a
toolbar on a display, and more particularly providing a plurality
of icons in the toolbar, coupling each icon to a picture file of a
plurality of picture files, coupling content relevant information
to a picture file, and displaying the picture file and the content
relevant information. The disclosure further includes the use of a
plurality of toolbars to display a picture file and content
relevant information. In particular, a first toolbar having a
plurality icons including an icon for selecting a second toolbar;
and displaying the second toolbar having a plurality of icons
representing picture files.
[0027] According to other aspects of Applicants' disclosure, a
method and apparatus for displaying content relevant information
associated with a picture file includes user input. In particular,
a user interface for selecting a picture file and provides a user
selectable option for displaying the picture file and the content
specific information according to the user selectable option.
Further, an entry window accessible by a user is disclosed for
receiving information identifying the picture file and receiving
content relevant information associated with the picture file, such
as keywords or location information for enabling the display of
content specific information associated with the information. The
content specific information associated with the picture enables
the display of relevant content information, such as an
advertisement associated with the content of the picture file.
[0028] Turning now to FIG. 1, a system level diagram shows an
exemplary network 100 for providing content relevant information
with a picture file according to the present invention. Generally,
a communication device 102, preferably having a display 104 and a
keyboard 106, is coupled by a data connection 108 to a
telecommunications network 110. Communication device 102 could be
any electronic device having a display. Further, communication
device 102 could be a "wired" device, such as a desktop computer,
or could be a wireless device, such as a laptop computer, or a
personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone. Similarly,
data connection 108 could be any wired or wireless link which is
well know in the art.
[0029] Telecommunications network 110 is coupled by another data
connection 112 to a service provider 114 having access to a
plurality of databases 116. The data connection 112 could for
example be a wireline connection to a service provider, such as an
Internet Service Provider (ISP), or the service provider could be
associated with the telecommunications network. Alternatively, the
databases could reside within the service provider or the
telecommunications network. Although FIG. 1 represents one example
of a network for implementing the system for providing content
relevant information described in this specification, it should be
understood that one skilled in the art could apply Applicant's
invention to a variety of other suitable networks.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of service
provider 114 according to the present invention is shown. Service
provider 114 preferably includes a network interface 202 that
receives requests from and transmits data to communication device
102 by way of data connection 112. The network interface provides a
request to a server 204. Server 204 preferably has access to a user
database 206, which database 206 could store picture files, content
specific information associated with the picture files, user
profiles, or other information that may be useful or necessary for
providing content relevant information to an end user. For example,
the user database could include statistical information in an end
user's profile to help determine appropriate information, such as
targeted advertisements, to provide to a user based upon content
specific information related to a picture file.
[0031] An information interface 208 generally coordinates
communications with databases 118-126 and provides information to
server 204. The information interface could extract information,
such as targeted advertisements from a variety of information
providers, depending upon the end user's needs as set forth in the
end user's profile. Alternatively, the functionality of information
interface 208 could be incorporated in server 204. While the
exemplary block diagram of service provide 114 shows one
configuration of a service provider enabling the methods described
in the present disclosure, other configurations of a service
provider could be employed.
[0032] Turning now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a communication
device 102 according to the present invention is shown. The device
preferably includes a control circuit 302, such as a
microprocessor, microcontroller, ASIC or some other circuit or
integrated circuit to control the device. A memory device 306 could
also be coupled to the control circuit to retain picture files 308
or user profile information 310. As discussed in reference to FIG.
2, such information could also be stored outside of the
communication device (such as user database 206 shown in FIG. 2)
and provided to the device by a modem 312. Modem 312 transmits and
receives information by of an I/O port 314, which could comprise a
standard telephone jack, or could be some other suitable means such
as infrared or some other wired or wireless protocol. A display
driver 315 enables picture files and content specific information
to be displayed on display 104. User interface 106 also enables a
user to provide input to the control circuit necessary to access
the Application Program Interfaces (APIs) 316 to display picture
files and content specific information according to the present
disclosure. The user interface also enables entry of data into the
entry program described in FIGS. 8-10. Such APIs and other software
necessary for requesting and receiving content specific information
and display picture files with content specific information can be
written in any suitable language, including but not limited to C++
or Java, or any 106 derivates thereof.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 4, a plan view of a display showing a
toolbar according to the present invention is shown. Display 104
preferably includes a toolbar 402 having a plurality of icons 404.
Also shown are files or application programs residing on the
desktop. An application icon 406 could reside on the desktop to
access a program implementing the methods in the present
disclosure. When the application program is opened, a user
interface, such as toolbar 402 as shown will appear on the screen.
The features of the icons on toolbar 402 will be described in more
detail in reference to later figures.
[0034] Turning now to FIG. 5, a plan view of an alternate
embodiment of a display shows a plurality of toolbars according to
the present invention. In particular, a first toolbar 502 could
include a picture icon 504 which, when selected by a user, could
produce picture toolbar 402. Also shown is a window 506 which is
generated when one of the picture icons of the plurality of picture
icons is selected. As will be described in more detail in reference
to later figures, window 506 could instead occupy the entire screen
and/or function as a screen saver, either when an icon on toolbar
402 is initially selected or after a predetermined period of time.
Window 506 could include an additional toolbar (not shown) for
selecting or implementing certain features of the picture file in
the window, such as a standard interface well known in the art for
playing a streaming video related to the picture.
[0035] Also shown are information display areas 510 and 512. These
display areas could include content relevant information associated
with the content of the picture file. For example, information
display area 510 could include the weather for the location of the
content of the picture file, while information display area 512
could include a banner ad related to the content and/or location of
the picture file. In addition, the banner ad could include options
to access additional information regarding the content of the
picture file or go to a particular website by selecting the banner
ad. For example, a box 514 could be selected to enable a user to
close out the information display area on the device.
Alternatively, a box 516 could be selected to "save" the content of
the information display area to a predetermined folder for easy
access. Such a feature is particularly useful for a wireless device
where the user interface or display may be less conducive to
viewing a large amount of information. Preferably, the information
in the information display would be saved to a user's website,
which could be a personal website or a webpage for the user
associated with the user's wireless service provider. Accordingly,
a user could access information provided to the wireless device at
a more convenient time or from a device a more suitable user
interface for reviewing the information.
[0036] Although two information display areas are shown, any number
of information display areas could be employed. Further, the
information display areas could display any type of information,
and could be based upon any number of elements related to the
picture file, alone or in combination, including but not limited to
such elements as a keyword related to the content of the picture,
the geographic location of the content of the picture file, the
owner or originator of the picture file, etc.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 6, an enlarged view of an exemplary
toolbar 402 is shown. Toolbar 402 includes a number of icons
representing pictures files, which could be accessed by the user.
The icons could be graphical representations of the content of the
picture or could be a "thumbnail" of the actual picture file. For
example, in the exemplary toolbar in FIG. 6, a house icon 602, a
family icon 604, a vacation icon 606, an alumni icon 608, and a
"mystery" icon 610 are shown. While particular icons are shown, it
would be understood by one skilled in the art that any number of
icons representing any types of picture could be incorporated in
the toolbar. As well be described in references to the entry
program of FIG. 8, standard icons could be accessed by the user, or
a thumbnail of the picture could be generated to be displayed on
the toolbar. An edit icon 612 could also be included to enable
access to an entry program of the toolbar for editing the content
of the toolbar by a user. Finally, a folder 614 could be included
on the toolbar to make it easy to store picture files to be
accessed by a user, as described in more detail in reference to
FIG. 8.
[0038] The mystery icon could provide a location provided by a
service provider and which might be of interest to a particular
user. That is, a service provider could select (and periodally
change) a picture which might be of interest based upon information
in the user's profile. For example, if a user entered picture files
that related to vacation spots, a service provider could provide a
mystery picture of various vacation spots, including advertisement
for lodging or hospitality near the vacation spot. Such network
provided pictures create good opportunities for targeted
advertisements enabling a service provider to generate revenue.
[0039] Similarly, the toolbar could be created by a particular
entity for an end user and include icons associated with a
particular category or entity. For example, a toolbar could
specific to a particular company (e.g. hotel chain promoting
vacation spots), university, profession, sport, team, nationality,
etc. Alternatively, the toolbar could include four icons, one for
each season of a particularly favorite screen saver, or twelve
icons, one for each month. Such specific toolbars could be
maintained or updated by the service provider, which would not only
eliminate the need for an end user to maintain the toolbar, but
would also provide a way to provide targeted content specific
information such as advertisements to end users.
[0040] Turning now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of a toolbar
according to the present invention is shown. The alternate
embodiment of the toolbar includes at least one information
selection option button, and perhaps a plurality of such buttons.
As shown in FIG. 7, information selection option buttons 702-712
associated with each icon on the left hand side of the icons could
be selected for each icon to display certain information when the
icon is selected. For example, weather or other content specific
information such as advertisements could be displayed when the
information selection option is selected and an icon is chosen.
Family icon 604 and vacation icon 606 are shown with the
information option selected in FIG. 7. Similarly, a second row of
information selection option buttons 712-720 on the right hand side
of the icons could be chosen for a second display option. For
example, when a particular information selection option button in
the second row is selected (such as house icon 602 in FIG. 7) the
picture file associated with a particular icon will appear as a
screen saver if the display device is inactive for a predetermined
period of time. If a user does not select a particular feature
before selecting an icon, the user would preferably have the option
of later selecting the function after the picture file is
displayed. In the event the screen saver option is later selected,
the information would be shown, while the selected picture file
would be displayed as a screen saver with other selected picture
files after a predetermined period of time.
[0041] If a plurality of information selection option buttons
enabling a screen saver function are selected, the screen saver
will periodically cycle through the selected picture files. It is
contemplated that user preferences related to the cycling of
selected pictures could be selected by a user, for example by
selecting the "OPTIONS" icon in FIG. 8. Although two rows of
information selection option buttons are shown, other button
configurations could be employed. For example, a single button
could be chosen to apply a certain function to all icons.
Alternatively, additional rows of information selection buttons
could be employed for other functions, such as web-based links
related to the content of the picture file.
[0042] Timing now to FIG. 8, an entry program accessed by edit icon
612 for entering data associated with a picture file according to
the present disclosure is shown. When the entry program is
accessed, a plurality of icons 802 (numbered 1-5) associated with
the picture files are shown. Next to each numbered icon is a data
block having a variety of fields for entering information related
to the content of the picture file. A first data field 804 could
include the storage location of the picture file. As described
earlier, this location could be local to the device or could be
associated with a remote or service provider network. The storage
location field could be established so that an end user would
merely need to enter the name of the picture file (e.g. the portion
of the file name before ".gif" for a GIF file). Preferably, the
picture file would be stored in a predetermined folder, such as a
folder 614 on the user interface. That is, a "shortcut" could be
created on the user interface such that a user could merely "drag"
a picture file onto the file in the user interface to store the
picture file in the correct location.
[0043] Content specific information related to the picture could
then be entered in the next two fields. For example, a second data
field 806 could be a keyword representing the content of the
picture file, such as home, vacation, dog, etc. A third data field
808 could include location specific information related to the
content of the picture file, such as a zip code or other location
information. Optionally, a user could have the option of selecting
the type of content relevant information desired to be displayed,
such as weather or news. Although a user may be able to select
certain desired information, the user may automatically receive
other content relevant information, such as advertisements. The
information entered in the keyword, location or info desired fields
could be entered manually or selected from a pull-down menu option.
Alternatively, the entry program could be accessed remotely from
the device. For example, a user could access the entry program from
a home computer by accessing a website for the service provider to
enter information related to the device. Such remote access to the
entry program can be particularly beneficial for a device having a
limited user interface, such as a cellular telephone.
[0044] Although only four data fields are shown, any number of data
fields could be included. For example multiple key words and/or
locations could be entered. Similarly, a keyword and subcategory
approach could be employed, to receive the desired content specific
information. For example, a user could use a keyword "Pet" and
sub-category "Dog," or use a keyword "Dog" and sub-category
"Labrador" to receive the desired content specific information.
Also, the device could automatically provide information related to
the location of the device itself. For example, a GPS circuit could
be coupled to control circuit 302 or a service provider through
triangulation could provide information related to the location of
the device. Such geographic location information of the device
itself could be another factor in providing appropriate information
or targeted advertisement to a user of a device.
[0045] Alternatively, a service provider could consider the
standard icon selected by the use to represent a picture file in
determining the appropriate content relevant information to be
provided with the picture file. While certain data fields are used,
a user need not enter information in every data field. Content
relevant information provided for display could be provided based
upon the information entered. Alternatively, the program could be
written such that a picture will only be displayed if all the
information is entered, enabling a service provider to provide the
most relevant information to a user. Such completeness could be
important to a service provider transmitting targeted
advertisements.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 9, a flow chart shows the operation of
the entry program of FIG. 8. A user wishing to enter information
related to a particular picture file would select an icon (for
example by double clicking on the icon) at a step 902. Initially,
the icons would be numbered, but would preferably be replaced with
a "thumbnail" of the picture file after the location information in
first data field 804 related to the storage location of the picture
file is entered at a step 904. Preferably, the order that icons
appear on the toolbar could be changed for example by selecting
"option" button 812. Content specific information could be entered
in the following two steps. A user could enter keywords related to
the content of the picture file at a step 906. A user could also
enter location specific information related to the geographic
location of the content of the picture file a step 908. Preferably,
a user could then select the type of information which it desires
to be displayed at a step 910. For example, it may choose weather,
history, points of interest, news, facts, or trivia related to the
content or location of the content of the picture files. The user
could then determine whether to enter information for another
picture at a step 912.
[0047] Turning now to FIG. 10, a flow chart shows an alternate
embodiment for entering and/or changing information by way of the
entry program of FIG. 8. A user wishing to enter information
related to a particular picture file wood select an icon number (or
thumbnail) at a step 1002, and would then enter the storage
location of the picture file at a step 1006. The user would enter
content specific information such as keywords or location
information in data field at a step 1004. A thumbnail of the
picture file would then be displayed at a step 1008. If information
for additional picture files were to be entered at a step 1010,
another icon would then be selected. If not, the user would then
have the option of changing an icon related to a particular picture
at a step 1012. When a thumbnail is selected, for example by double
clicking at a step 1014, standard icons are displayed at a step
1016. A standard icon can then be selected to replace the thumbnail
of the picture file at a step 1018, which could be displayed at a
step 1020.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 11, a flow chart shows the method of
displaying content relevant information according to the present
invention. In particular, a picture is stored at a step 1102. The
picture file could be stored within the device or on a separate
device or network, or with a service provider. The device then
accesses information associated with the content of the picture
file at a step 1104 in response to a selection by an end user. The
content relevant information and the picture file are then
displayed at a step 1106.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 12, a flow chart shows the method of
displaying content relevant information according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a picture file
is stored in memory at a step 1202. A user the selects a picture
file from a user interface at a step 1204. The user interface could
be for example toolbar 402 shown in FIG. 4 or some other suitable
interface. The picture file is then accessed from a memory at a
step 1206. The picture file could be stored in a memory on the
device or on a separate network accessible by the device. The
device then accesses content relevant information associated with
the picture file at a step 1208. The content relevant information
could be downloaded from a database accessible by the Internet, or
could reside within the display device related to the picture file,
and is preferably based on content specific information. The
picture file and the content relevant information are then
displayed at a step 1210. Preferably, the content relevant
information is periodically updated at a step 1212.
[0050] Turning now to FIG. 13, a flow chart showing the method of
displaying content relevant information comprising advertisements
according to the present invention. Content specific information
such as keywords or geographic locations associated with picture
files is entered at a step 1302. A user interface for accessing
pictures then provided at a step 1304. It is then determined
whether an icon for a picture file is selected at a step 1306. If
an icon is selected, the picture is displayed with an advertisement
related to the content of the picture at a step 1708.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 14, a flow chart shows a method of
displaying content relevant information according to predetermined
formats. A plurality of picture files are stored in memory at a
step 1402. Content relevant information for the plurality of
picture files is then stored at a step 1404. These steps of storing
could be performed by an end user or a third party, either on the
display device or on a separate network. The user then selects an
icon representing a particular picture file from a user interface
at a step 1406. A picture file is then accessed from memory at a
step 1408. Content relevant information associated with the
selected picture file is then accessed at a step 1410. The content
relevant information is preferably based upon content specific
information associated with the selected picture file.
[0052] The picture file associated with the selected icon and the
content relevant information is displayed according to a
predetermined format at a step 1412. The predetermined format could
either be a default format when the program is installed, or could
include advanced features as described in more detail in reference
to other figures. The content relevant information is periodically
updated at a step 1414. The updates could be performed for a
particular picture file whenever an icon is selected, or on a
periodic basis for all picture files. A picture file, which may at
first be displayed as a "window" on the display, could then be
displayed as a screen saver after a predetermined period of
inactivity. According to an alternate embodiment of the invention,
information selection option buttons associated with each icon,
such as buttons 714-722, could be selected to enable periodically
rotating the pictures when in a screen saver mode. Alternatively, a
default condition or a single button selected by an end user could
enable the pictures to be periodically rotated during screen saver
mode.
[0053] Turning now to FIG. 15 a flow chart shows the method of
displaying content relevant information according to user
selectable features. In particular, a user selects a picture icon
from an icon toolbar at a step 1502. The picture file associated
with the icon is accessed from memory at a step 1504. The picture
file is then displayed on the screen at a step 1506. It is then
determined whether the user has selected a user selectable feature
at a step 1508. The function associated with the user selectable
feature is then performed at a step 1510 and displayed at a step
1512. Such user selectable features could include information
display, advertisement display, screen saver mode, etc.
[0054] Turning now to FIG. 16 a flow chart showing the method of
displaying content relevant information as a screen saver according
to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. A user selects
a picture icon from an icon toolbar at a step 1602. It is then
determined whether an information option is selected at a step
1604. If the information option is selected, the picture is
displayed with information associated with the picture file at a
step 1606. If the information option is not selected, the picture
is displayed at a step 1608. It is then determined if a screen
saver option is selected at a step 1610. If a screen saver option
is selected, the window displaying the picture is converted to a
screen saver after a predetermined period of time. It is then
determined if more that one screen saver is selected at a step
1514. If all or a number of pictures are selected for a screen
saver option, the pictures will be periodically rotated as screen
savers. If the screen saver option is selected for only one
picture, the picture is displayed as a screen saver at a step
1618.
[0055] Finally, tuning to FIG. 17, a flow chart showing the method
of displaying content relevant information through a user interface
having multiple toolbars according to an alternate embodiment of
the present invention. A first toolbar having an icon denoting a
picture program is provided on a display at a step 1702. It is then
determined whether the picture program has been selected at a step
1704. If the program is selected, then a second toolbar having a
plurality of icons representing picture files is then displayed at
a step 1706. It is then determined if an icon on the second toolbar
is selected at a step 1708. If an icon is selected, then the
picture file will be displayed at a step 1710. It is then
determined whether a particular function of the toolbar is selected
at a step 1712. If a particular function is selected, then the
picture will be displayed with the particular function at a step
1714.
[0056] In summary, the present disclosure relates to providing
content relevant information related to a picture file, and
particular user interfaces for providing such information. The
foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for
purpose of illustration and description. Further, the description
is not to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.
Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the
above teachings within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art,
are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments
discussed hereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode
known of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to
utilize the invention in such, or in other, embodiments and with
the various modification required by their application or uses of
the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be
constructed to include alternative embodiments to the extent
permitted by the prior art.
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