WO2004057855A1

WO2004057855A1 - Improvements relating to digital picture frames

Info

Publication number: WO2004057855A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/005579
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toby Moores; Benjamin James Last; Joanne Elizabeth Allen; Mark Anthony Hilton; Steward Burnett Jones
Original assignee: Sleepydog Limited
Priority date: 2002-12-19
Filing date: 2003-12-19
Publication date: 2004-07-08
Also published as: GB0229632D0; GB2393349A; AU2003290298A1; GB0329465D0

Abstract

A digital picture frame, having a primary function of displaying to a user digital images received from a remote source, is described. The digital picture frame comprises: a display for displaying a received digital image; a structure for supporting the display and for assisting the user in decoratively positioning the digital picture frame within the user's environment; an integrated mobile communications receiver having a unique mobile telecommunications network address and being arranged to receive digital image data sent, in a digital image data message, from a remote source via a mobile telecommunications network; a data store for storing the received digital image data; and processing means for outputting the stored digital image data to the display, thereby displaying the digital image sent from the remote source.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DIGITAL PICTURE FRAMES

Field of the Present Invention

The present invention concerns improvements to current types of digital picture frames, specifically it relates to the receipt and display of digital images from a remote external source.

Background to the Present Invention

A digital picture frame is a device that includes a display, a memory, and a component to receive digital images from an external source. Typically, a digital picture frame is the same size as a conventional photograph frame and usually comes supplied with a stand or other mounting device, they likewise have a decorative frame which on some types of digital picture frame may be interchangeable. Digital picture frames are increasingly becoming an additional ornament in the home, though not exclusively so. Their relatively small size gives them the added advantage of portability, therefore, they can be taken just about anywhere the user wishes, as long as there is a suitable power source. Some digital picture frames can detect if they are placed horizontally or vertically, changing the orientation of the displayed image accordingly. The ability of the user to change the picture displayed whilst keeping a large store of images (usually on removable storage media) within the frame as a dedicated device has added to their popularity. On these frames, pictures, once received, are displayed indefinitely but may be replaced with other pictures when these in turn are received.

Since the introduction of digital cameras, digital picture frames have become increasingly popular as a way to share and display digital photographs. This is due in part to their independence of personal computers (PCs); a digital picture frame owner does not necessarily have to have access to a computer to receive digital images. Therefore, people who may not be computer literate can receive digital photographs. They also have the capability that they can be used to perform a slideshow of the images contained within their memories. Additional functionality can be added to picture frames by downloading additional software from the manufacturers website or by any other applicable data connection means. In general there are three types of digital picture frame:

A first type of digital picture frame or as they are also referred to, digital photo frame, which is the most common on the market, requires images to be loaded via removable storage media such as CD-ROM, Memory Stick or CompacFlash solid-state memory. In this way any digital image capturing device (e.g. camera) can capture a picture and store it on its own removable storage media and the same media can be directly inserted into the picture frame to view the images.

Whilst this is a convenient way of viewing images which are commonly stored to such removable storage media, there are three inherent problems associated with this type of device. The first problem is one of compatibility, there are many different types of removable memory media and so invariably there is some possibility of incompatibility between the removable storage medium of the image capture device and the types of removable memory media acceptable to a particular picture frame. Secondly, the user has to be familiar with the technical process of transferring a removable storage medium device from one device to another. People without an interest in digital image technology but with an appreciation of photography may find such systems difficult and frustrating to master. Finally, when the removable storage medium is removed from the image capture device it is impossible to capture any further images as the device cannot store new images without that storage medium being present.

A second type of digital picture frame, which overcomes at least some of the problems associated with the first type of digital picture frame, is described in US patent rjublication US 2QQ2IΩ12615Q Al. This document describes a. digital picture frame that uses a local area wireless connection to retrieve pictures from devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), digital cameras or computers that are in close proximity to the frame and capable of engaging in a local area wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, with the frame.

Whilst the benefit over the first type of digital picture frame is clear, there are still several drawbacks. As with the first type of digital picture frame, the technology must be operated by a user with sufficient understanding of computing technology to make connections from other devices and to transfer pictures. There is a relatively short, finite distance in which pictures can be transmitted from a device to the picture frame. For example, the picture frame could not be located in one person's home and be sent pictures from another home. This particular picture frame requires third party hardware and software in order to transfer pictures from PDAs, digital cameras, computers and the like, further increasing the cost to the user and complexity of the system. An example of such third party hardware designed specifically for use in the frame is a wireless PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card which plugs into a PCMCIA slot in the frame, utilising a wireless protocol standard such as Bluetooth.

A third type of digital picture frame is exemplified by a digital picture frame marketed by Ceiva Logic Inc. This picture frame uses an internal modem and fixed-line telephone to make outgoing connections and retrieve pictures from servers on Ceiva' s data network and is described in US patent number 6,442,573 Bl. This device does address some of the problems associated with the first and second types of picture frames described above. However, there are also some limitations to this device which are set out below.

Picture frames of this third type have to be located near a fixed phone line and require a permanent connection to that phone line. This limits the repositioning ability of the picture frame within the viewing environment. If the user wishes to change the general location of the picture frame, say from home to the office, the predefined outgoing telephone number the modem of the picture frame uses to connect the server has to be changed. For example, in moving the Cevia's picture frame from the home .tα_the. office a..numher "9" may have to. be added to. me .beginning of the outgoing- telephone number in order to connect to an external line. Likewise, if the frame is used abroad the appropriate international prefixes must be used. Though, it should be noted that the Ceiva picture frame is only marketed within the USA as Ceiva have to set up a large range of local access (or toll-free) numbers to support areas where they sell frames. Clearly this can make use of the picture frame complicated and for a travelling user (constantly changing locations) for example, it can make the picture frame too difficult to use. In order to send an image to a Ceiva picture frame, the sender has to upload the image to Ceiva' s server from a device connectable to Ceiva' s network. This can place an additional burden on the sender of the image which may deter use of this type of picture frame. The Ceiva picture frame dials into its server once a day using its permanent phoneline connection and therefore, disadvantageously in many cases pictures cannot be received without incurring a delay of up to 24 hours. On the server side of the system, there is a real requirement to permanently make available vast numbers of modems to accept calls made by the picture frames to retrieve pictures. This requirement clearly increases the costs of implementing and maintaining the systems for supporting picture frames of this type.

The connection using the fixed-line handling both voice and data communications may face conflict whilst in normal everyday use. As an example, an owner of a Ceiva picture frame may set up a computer to perform an extended download (or be engaged in a lengthy telephone conversation) at the time the picture frame attempts to connect to the Ceiva server. In this scenario it may not be possible for the picture frame to connect to its server for some time, incurring further delay to the delivery of images. Accordingly, communications for the digital picture frame to its server cannot readily be instigated without inconvenience or necessitating a dedicated fixed line.

This means that by its very nature, Ceiva picture frames are not sent images unless they dial in and request them. Also, charges regarding dialling up to the Ceiva server will be made. At present, the user has to pay a subscription to the Ceiva network and in addition may incur extra charges if the area that the picture frame is in does not have a local access (or toll-free) number to access the Ceiva network.

A further disadvantage of the third type of picture frame relates to computers being the. source o the .images. There are currently several image- ormats (JPEG,- GIF, PNG, etc.) which enable captured images to be stored and displayed on computers. Therefore, any server storing and then providing the images to a picture frame needs to be able to convert the original image format into one acceptable for display on the picture frame. This provides an additional computational burden and may result in loss of image quality for example. In summary, the first type of digital picture frame has compatibility limitations. The patent application referenced above (US 2002/0126150 Al) in relation to the second type of digital picture frame is restricted to local digital transfers. The Ceiva digital picture frame (third type) is severely limited by virtue of its use of a fixed-wire telephone link and internet dependence as described above.

Summary of the Present Invention

It is desired to overcome at least some of the above-mentioned problems. More specifically, it is desired to provide an improved method of receiving digital images where the sender of the image and the picture frame do not have to be within a short range of each other. It is also desired for the picture frame to be entirely portable, negating the need for any fixed-line connection.

The present invention resides in the appreciation that the above problems can be solved by the use of a picture frame with access to a built-in mobile telephony data- link function. No digital picture frame of the prior art has, to date, used the mobile telephone network as a carrier for digital images.

More specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a digital picture frame, having a primary function of displaying to a user digital images received from a remote source, the digital picture frame comprising: a display for displaying a received digital image; a structure for supporting the display and for assisting the user in decoratively positioning the digital picture frame within the user's environment; an integrated mobile communications receiver having a unique mobile telecommunications network address and being arranged to receive digital image data sent, in. a _digital .image- data message, iro a, remote . source via- a mobile - telecommunications network; a data store for storing the received digital image data; and processing means for outputting the stored digital image data to the display, thereby displaying the digital image sent from the remote source.

The use of mobile communication messaging standards provides a solution to many of the problems associated with the prior art picture frames. For example, picture frames according to the present invention have no fixed line connection problems and are truly mobile. Also, there is no need for the sender of the message to be in close proximity to the picture frame to effect a transfer. The data formats for MMS messaging (picture messaging for example) are common and their use negates the prior art problems of incompatibility of image formats between the image capture device and the picture frame. Rather, a universal solution is provided by the present invention which removes many of the limitations described above with relation to the prior art.

Because picture frames embodying the present invention use the existing mobile telephone network, these picture frames can be sent images as they become available, removing the need for the picture frame to dial into a network and make a connection to external servers. This correspondingly removes the need for modems to be permanently available to accept calls from picture frames. Both of these points provide considerable cost savings.

Again, due to the present invention's use of the existing mobile telephone network, the picture frame's integrated mobile communications receiver can be set to roaming, enabling it to operate in any country with a compatible mobile telephone network.

The inventors have appreciated that the state of the art in mobile telephony has advanced such that mobile telephones are frequently equipped with digital cameras. Images taken with these built-in cameras can be sent using messaging from a mobile telephone to a suitably equipped mobile phone. In fact, images sent to a mobile phone via the mobile telephone network do not necessarily need to originate from another mobile phone. It is possible to send images in a variety of ways from a Multimedia Messaging Service Centre (MMSC). As an example, the instruction to send an image to the picture frame from the MMSC could.. come from, a user on a different . communications network.

At present the most common way to send images via the mobile telecommunication networks is by Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). With MMS you can send voice, text and images in one message. All three components of the message are rendered simultaneously on the receiving device at the receiving end. For this you need a subscription to a GPRS service and a mobile device equipped with an MMS client. The picture frame according to the present invention preferably is configured to support MMS messaging.

An example of a possible situation in which the present invention could be used is given below:

The present invention could be given to somebody as a present since the picture frame does not require a fixed telephone line, or any other additional hardware in order to receive images. The picture frame in this example has been given to the grandmother of a child, where the child and the grandmother live a relatively large distance away from each other, even in different countries. On special occasions, birthdays being a prime example, a photograph of the occasion could be taken by someone with a mobile phone. This image could then be sent directly to Grandmother's picture frame enabling her to see the image instantly and without having to initiate the download of the image herself.

The advantages of the present invention include the ability to send images from any mobile telephone with built in digital camera and MMS messaging capability, for example. As already mentioned, images could be sent from an MMSC with the initiation being sent from elsewhere in the telecommunications network or from a user using a different communications network. Access to a fixed telephone line is not required, therefore to receive images a picture frame according to the present invention can be located anywhere providing there is a power supply (which could be portable by use of batteries) and service (sufficient network signal reception) from the mobile telecommunications network.

-The_^ inventojsj aye. ^ reluctance, to engage in complicated- ~ technical methods. As such, picture frames embodying the present invention require minimal input from the user to retrieve images. The embodiments of the present invention can be used in two ways for this operation. One way requires no user interaction to display an image and the other is where the user responds to a visual notification of an image by pressing a button and a new image is displayed on the picture frame's screen. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for sending and receiving digital images from a remote source to a digital picture frame, the system comprising: a remote source for composing and sending a digital image data message comprising digital image data; a mobile telecommunications network for carrying the digital image data message sent by the remote source; and a digital picture frame as described above for receiving and displaying the digital image data of the digital image data message transmitted from the remote source.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A picture frame and methods of using the picture frame according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a communications system over which images are sent in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2a is a schematic block diagram showing the steps involved in a method of sending an image to a digital picture frame of a first embodiment using a push technique from a mobile phone incorporating a digital camera;

Figure 2b is a schematic block diagram showing the steps involved in a method of sending an image to a digital picture frame of a first embodiment using a pull technique from a mobile phone incorporating a digital camera;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the components of a picture frame of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the actions of each of the components shown in Figure 3 when an image is extracted from a received MMS message;

Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of the components of a picture frame of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the actions of each of the components shown in Figure 5 when multiple images are extracted from received MMS messages and are displayed; and

Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the steps involved a technique of checking the authenticity of received messages, which is applicable to the method shown in Figure 2b.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention

With reference to Figure 1, a communications system 10 for implementing the preferred embodiments of the present invention is now described. The communications system 10 facilitates the sending of MMS (Multi-media Messaging Service) data messages containing images captured on a mobile phone 12 with an integrated digital camera 14 and sending the MMS data messages over mobile communication networks 20 to be displayed on a digital picture frame 30.

For convenience a "mobile phone with an integrated digital camera" shall be referred to as a "mobile phone". In the same way a "digital picture frame" shall be referred to as a "picture frame".

The communications system 10 comprises a mobile phone 12 capable of sending a digital image such as that of an object 11 in the form of an MMS message, a picture frame 30 capable of receiving the MMS message and displaying the image 31 contained within the MMS message, and mobile communication networks 20 provided between them. The mobile communication networks 20 are provided to facilitate the. sjsndiEg )f such. MMS .messages, and include respectiveJbase .stations IS and 26 local to the mobile phone 12 and picture frame 30 respectively. Each of the shown base stations 18, 26 is arranged to establish respective radio communications links 16, 26 with the mobile phone 12 and the picture frame 30.

The system 10 also includes a Multimedia Message Service Centre (MMSC) 22 connected to the mobile communication networks 20. The MMSC 22 is linked to a local digital image database 24 which stores images sent to the MMSC 22. The MMSC 22 is responsible for handling any MMS data messages to be transmitted across the networks 20.

The communication networks 20 include one or more proprietary cellular networks (not shown) to which the mobile phone 12 and digital picture frame 30 are subscribed (the picture frame 30 and the mobile phone 12 do not have to be subscribed to the same cellular network). Each proprietary cellular network features its own MMSC's 22 for handling MMS messages; and Short Messaging Service Centres (SMSCs - not shown) for routing SMS messages across the networks 20.

The picture frame 30 is registered on the mobile communication networks 20. Accordingly, a unique mobile network address 73 (described later) is assigned to the picture frame 30 which allows the picture frame 30 to receive digital images 31 contained within MMS messages addressed to that unique network address 73.

Images can be sent from the mobile phone 12 to the picture frame 30 in two different ways, namely by way of a push method 40 or a pull method 50. It is to be appreciated that currently only the pull method 50 has been actually implemented by the network operators. However, with the rapid advance of technology to 3G and beyond it is considered that the push method 40 could be supported in the very near future. Nevertheless, the principle of operation of the present embodiment is the same whichever method is used. Each of these different methods is now described with reference to Figures 2a and 2b respectively.

Referring to Figure 2a the steps taken to transmit an image from the mobile phone 12 to the picture frame 30 in accordance with the push method 40 is now described. Reference is made to a first user and..secQnd user .in. the. following- description and these are to be considered as references to a mobile phone 12 user and a digital picture frame 30 user respectively.

The mobile phone user captures at Step 42 a digital image 30 of the object 11 using the integrated digital camera 14 of the mobile phone 12. Using a standard multi-media messaging application (not shown) supplied with the mobile phone 12, an MMS (or other suitable data message) containing the captured image 31 is created at Step 44. The first user (not shown) addresses the MMS message to the picture frame 30 using the picture frame's unique mobile network address 73 and thereafter instructs his mobile phone 12 to send at Step 46 the MMS message to the picture frame 30. The MMS message containing the captured image 31 is then sent via base station 18 and the mobile communication networks 20 to the MMSC 22. The MMSC 22 simply routes the message to the corresponding base station 26 for the picture frame 30 according to the network address 73 specified by the MMS message. The MMS message is subsequently delivered to the picture frame 30. On receipt of the message, the image is extracted at Step 48 from the MMS message by the picture frame 30 and displayed also at Step 48.

The image sent to the picture frame 30 is not limited to digital images captured by mobile phones 12. In a slight variation of the above described push method 40, MMS messages could be sent from an image server connected to the mobile communications networks 20, namely the MMSC 22. The MMSC 22 retains images from several different sources stored on its image database 24. To access these images such that they can be sent to the picture frame 30, a message can be sent from most communication devices (not shown) to the MMSC 22 to initiate the sending of a stored image 31 to the picture frame 30. Such a request would need to specify the unique address 73 of the picture frame 30 as well as some identification of the image 31 to be retrieved from the image database 24 and sent. Once the MMSC 22 has created an MMS data message containing the retrieved image 31, the process of delivery is identical to that described above for sending an image 31 from a mobile telephone 12, except that instead of being sent from the mobile phone 12 via the communication networks 20 to the picture frame 30, the message is sent from the MMSC 22 via the communication networks 20 to the picture frame 30.

Referring to Figure 2b, the steps taken to transmit an image from the mobile phone 101 to the picture frame 102 in accordance with the pull method 50 is now described.

Figure 2b shows the push method 50 for the retrieval of images from the image database 24. Whilst not shown in Figure 2b, the same initial steps namely capturing an image 31 and creating an MMS message (Steps 42 and 44) as described above with reference to Figure 2a are carried out. Having created the MMS message and addressed this to the unique network address 73 of the picture frame 30, the MMS message is transmitted to the MMSC server 22 at Step 52. The MMSC 22 reads and temporarily stores at Step 54 the message. The MMSC 22 then creates an SMS notification message (not shown) indicating that an MMS message for the picture frame 30 has been received, addresses the SMS notification message to the read network address 73 of the picture frame 30 and sends at Step 56 the SMS notification message to the picture frame 30. This SMS notification message contains a URL pointer to the location of the complete message, in this case the complete message comprises the digital image 31.

On receipt of the SMS notification message, the picture frame 30 interprets the same and automatically establishes at Step 58 a data connection with the MMSC server 22 storing the digital image. A suitable data connection could be GPRS. The digital image 31 is then downloaded at Step 60 from the MMSC server 22 to the picture frame 30 in the form of an MMS message. Subsequently, the image 31 is extracted at Step 48, 62 from the message and displayed at Step 48, 62 on the picture frame 30.

It will be appreciated that implementation of either the push or pull methods 40, 50 with this embodiment requires no interaction with the picture frame 30 by the second user in order to display the new image 31 on the picture frame 30. Therefore, to the second user the process by which the image is received is transparent in that the user interaction (none) and result is the same. Therefore, it is possible to consider at a higher level that the pull method 50 is the same as the push method 40 (the pull method simply having a few more intermediate processing steps).

Referring now to Figure 3, the components 70 of the picture frame 30 of the first embodiment are shown.. Cojnmunication to and from .the. picture frame 30. is handled by a Mobile Communication Unit (MCU) 72. The MCU 72 has a unique network address 73 for the picture frame 30 and can receive MMS and SMS data messages addressed to that unique network address 73. The network address 73 is provided on a STM card (not shown) which is provided within the MCU 72. It is to be appreciated that whilst the MCU 72 can be that provided in a conventional mobile telephone it is in this embodiment a cut-down version arranged to support only data communications and not voice communications. This makes the MCU 72 cheaper and simpler to implement.

Overall control of the picture frame's functions is handled by a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 74 which is connected to the MCU 72. A memory 76, also connected to the CPU 74 and under its control, is provided to store received images 31. The digital picture frame 30 also comprises a colour display 78 with an integral display driver (not shown) for displaying a received image 31. Control of the supply of image data to the display 78 is handled by the connected CPU 74.

The way in which the above-described components interact in processing a received message is now explained with reference to Figure 4. The description above has described the sending of a single image 31 in a single message. However, in practice each picture frame 30 is designed to receive many images 31 and to store and display the each of those images 31. This process 80 is set out below.

The process 80 commences with the MCU 72 receiving at Step 82 an MMS message containing the image 31, via its data connection as described in Figure 2b. Upon receipt of the MMS message, the MCU 72 notifies at Step 84 the CPU 74 of the message. The CPU 74 then checks at Step 86 the status of the picture frame's memory 76, namely, is it full. If there is space in the memory 76, the image is extracted from the MMS message and is stored at step 90 in the memory 76 immediately. Otherwise, the memory 76 is full and the CPU 74 deletes at Step 88 the oldest stored image (or multiple stored oldest images if the received image is large) from the memory 76 allowing the new image to be stored at Step 90. Once the image has been safely stored in the memory 76, the CPU 74 instructs at Step 92 the MCU 72 to delete the originally received MMS. containing. the image 31. TheOEU 7 then reads-at Step 94- the newly stored image 31 from the memory 76 and sends the image data to the display to cause also at Step 94 the colour display 78 to display the new image 31.

Alternatively, it is possible for the CPU 74 to store all received messages and then to generate a fixed time slideshow of stored images which requires no user interaction. A second embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The second embodiment is very similar to the first embodiment and accordingly, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the following description is restricted to the differences between the embodiments.

Figure 5 shows the components 100 of a picture frame 30 of the second embodiment. The components 100 are identical to the components 70 of the picture frame 30 of the first embodiment except for the provision of a user-interaction button (actuator) 102 and software (not shown) for interpreting user interaction via the button 102.

The button 102 symbolises a simple user interface for enabling the second user to interact in a simple way with the picture frame 30. In this embodiment the user interface is the simplest it can be, namely a single button 102.

The picture frame 30 of the second embodiment enables the second user to select which one of the plurality of received and stored images is to be presented on the display 78 of the picture frame 30. This operation is now described with reference to Figure 6 where a method 110 of scrolling through the different stored images is described.

The method 110 commences with the MCU 72 receiving at Step 112 a plurality of messages, each message containing an image. The CPU 74 is notified at Step 114 and each image is extracted, read and stored in the memory 76. Once each image has been stored in the memory 76, the corresponding message is deleted, also at Step 114, from the MCU 72. The first image 31 to arrive at the picture frame 30 is then displayed at Step 116 on the display 78. Then the method continues with a check being made at i_tep.„118 Q_detej ine_whe.ther. the second-juser. has..pressed. Jhe. button. 102. If -the second user presses the button 102 a further check is made at Step 120 to determine whether there are any more undisplayed images in the memory 76. If there are, then the next image in ascending chronological order is displayed at Step 122. If there are more images that have not been displayed, these will be displayed on each press of the button 102 in the order in which they were received. Otherwise, when there are no more images in memory 76 which have not been displayed as determined at Step 120, then a check is made at Step 124 to determined whether there is a newer image to be displayed. If there is a newer image available, this is displayed at Step 122. However, if there is no newer image namely the present image 31 is the most recent received, then the oldest image stored in the memory 76 is displayed at Step 126 until the button 102 is next pressed.

It is also possible to provide a non-automatic download picture frame which uses the above described button 102 of the second embodiment. Here the second user is notified of the receipt of the SMS notification (using the pull method 50) of a new image 31, by the presentation of an icon on the display 78 or an LED light being turned on for example. Then the establishment of a data connection would not take place until confirmation from the second user by actuation of the button 102. This can advantageously give the second user control over when they want to effect a download (perhaps at a time when such downloads are cheaper).

It is to be appreciated that the push and pull methods 40, 50 described earlier with reference to Figures 2a and 2b and the first embodiment can equally be used with the second embodiment.

The inventors have appreciated that there is a potential risk with the push or pull method 40, 50 of receiving unsolicited SMS messages, such as spam or SMS messages sent in error. Li such cases, a modification to the push or pull method 40, 50 implemented by the picture frames can be made to overcome or at least minimise this problem. The improvement requires the picture frame 30 to be configured to operate in the way specified below and to contain a list of acceptable download texts. The improvement procedure 130 to the push or pull method 40, 50 mentioned above is now described with reference to Figure 7.

The procedure commences with the MCU 72 receiving at Step 132 an SMS notification. The CPU 74 then registers at Step 134 the event and implements a checking and filtering series of steps. More specifically, the CPU 74 reads at Step 136 the text of the received SMS message and compares it against a list of known texts, possibly also comparing the senders address to a list of blocked network addresses. If the text does not match an entry in the stored list of known texts, then the message is not considered at Step 138 to be legitimate. Accordingly, in this case no further action is taken and the message is simply ignored (and possibly deleted). However, depending on the legitimacy of the notification one of two paths are followed 138. If the message is determined to be sent in error or is considered to be spam the notification is deleted at Step 140 and a data connection is not made with the server 22. Therefore the image is not sent and no further action is taken. However, if the message is considered at Step 138 to be legitimate (namely its text matches that of an entry in the list), then the CPU 74 instructs at Step 142 the MCU 72 to place a data call to establish a connection to the server 22 storing the MMS containing the required image 31. The MMS message with the desired image 31 is then downloaded via the data connection.

It is to be appreciated that user controls could also include buttons to switch from a slideshow view and a single image view and/or a delete button which would require two presses or an extended press to delete an image. In addition to the 'next' button 102 shown in Figure 5, a button for scrolling backwards though the images could be included. It may also be desirable to manipulate the images by rotation, zooming or moving the image horizontally or vertically within the frame's screen area. However, such controls only add to the complexity of use and cost of the device and so are not necessarily desirable.

The present embodiments can be used with a fixed power supply or can be battery operated. Most preferably a rechargeable battery could be used to power the picture frame to fully complete the portability aspects of the invention.

Having described particular preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments in question are exemplary only, and that variations and modifications, such.as.those, that -will-occur iα ihoaa μossessecLof the appropriate - - knowledge and skills, may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, due to the ability of MMS messages to contain video data it is possible to send and receive video messages. The picture frames could readily be provided with speakers to enable the associated audio data of the video message to be conveyed to the second user. It is also to be appreciated that there are many different ways in which the image data can be conveyed to the MMSC server. For example, an image can be captured by a digital camera, transferred via a local wireless communications link such as Bluetooth to a mobile telephone and then sent as an MMS to the server.

Claims

1. A digital picture frame, having a primary function of displaying to a user digital images received from a remote source, the digital picture frame comprising: a display for displaying a received digital image; a structure for supporting the display and for assisting the user in decoratively positioning the digital picture frame within the user's environment; an integrated mobile communications receiver having a unique mobile telecommunications network address and being arranged to receive digital image data sent, in a digital image data message, from a remote source via a mobile telecommunications network; a data store for storing the received digital image data; and processing means for outputting the stored digital image data to the display, thereby displaying the digital image sent from the remote source.

2. A digital picture frame according to Claim 1, wherein the unique mobile telecommunications network address comprises a mobile phone number.

3. A digital picture frame according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive multi-media data messages.

4. A digital picture frame according to Claim 3, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive digital image data via a continuously available wireless multi-media telecommunications data service, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).

5. A digital picture frame according to Claim 4, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the digital image data message via the multi-media messaging service (MMS).

6. A digital picture frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the digital image data automatically via the mobile telecommunications network without requiring any user interaction with the digital picture frame.

7. A digital picture frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiver is further arranged to receive a notification from the mobile telecommunications network when the digital image data message addressed to the digital picture frame is available and the digital picture frame comprises retrieving means arranged to retrieve the available digital image data message from the mobile telecommunications network in response to receipt of the notification.

8. A digital picture frame according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiver is further arranged to receive a notification from the mobile telecommunications network when the digital image data message addressed to the digital picture frame is available and the digital picture frame comprises user-activated retrieving means arranged to retrieve the available digital image data message from the mobile telecommunications network as a consequence of. a user response to the receipt of the notification.

9. A digital picture frame according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the notification is an alphanumeric text message sent via the Short Message Service (SMS).

10. A digital picture frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiver comprises mobile telecommunications digital data receiving circuitry of a mobile telecommunications device and does not comprise voice receiving circuitry of a mobile telecommunications device.

11. A digital picture frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the dimensions of the digital picture frame are substantially the same as those the display.

12. A digital picture frame according to Claim 11, wherein the structure for supporting the display takes substantially the form of a photo frame or picture frame.

13. A digital picture frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the structure for supporting the display can be physically mounted.

14. A system for sending and receiving digital images from a remote source to a digital picture frame, the system comprising: a remote source for composing and sending a digital image data message comprising digital image data; a mobile telecommunications network for carrying the digital image data message sent by the remote source; and a digital picture frame according to any preceding claim for receiving and displaying the digital image data of the digital image data message transmitted from the remote source.

15. A system according to Claim 14, wherein the remote source is a mobile phone.

16. A system according to Claim 14 or 15, further comprising an originating device for providing to the remote source the digital image data of the digital image data message.

17. A system according to Claim 16, wherein the originating device is a digital camera which captures the digital image and the remote source is a mobile telecommunications device, the digital camera being incorporated within the mobile telecommunications device.

18. A system according to Claim 16, wherein the originating device is a graphical image database storing digital image data and the remote source is a server having access to the graphical image database.

19. A system according to any of Claims 16 to 18, wherein digital image data is transmitted to the remote source from the originating device via a local communications link.

20. A system according to Claim 19, wherein the local communications link between the originating device and the remote source is a hard-wired data connection, such as a connecting wire.

21. A system according to Claim 19, wherein the local communications link is a wireless data connection, such as the Bluetooth communications protocol.

22. A digital picture frame or system substantially as described herein with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.