GB2407453A

GB2407453A - Data package for a mobile phone

Info

Publication number: GB2407453A
Application number: GB0319654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Kimsey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-21
Filing date: 2003-08-21
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Also published as: GB0319654D0

Abstract

The invention provides a data package for uploading to a mobile image phone, which includes an audio component defining a sequence of audio tones for the phone to play when the phone receives a call, and an image component which defines at least one image to accompany the audio tones which is displayed by the phone when it receives a call. Thus, when the phone receives an incoming call the user is alerted by a chosen ring tone which is also accompanied by a customised image on the phones display screen. The image component preferably includes a moving image sequence.

Description

Paul Kimsey

DATA PACKAGE FOR A MOBILE PHONE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mobile phones.

BACKGROUND

It is currently possible to purchase custom data files known as "ring tones" which alert the user of a mobile phone whenever an incoming call is received. When a new ring tone is purchased the appropriate data file is uploaded to the purchasers phone via the mobile phone network. Once installed and selected by means of the phone's menu system, the new ring tone will cause the phone to produce a predetermined sequence of audio tones (i.e. play a tune) whenever the phone receives a call.

Some mobile phones allow the user to associate different ring tones with different caller numbers so that a particular caller is identified by a specific tune.

Although there is a big market for custom ring tones, the amount of information which a ring tone can impart to the user is limited.

A new generation of mobile phones include image capabilities. Picture phones incorporate cameras and image display screens which allow still images to be sent from one phone to another. It is also possible to obtain video phones which display a moving image of a caller during the course of a telephone conversation, provided that the caller is also equipped with a

suitable phone.

An aim of the present invention is to improve existing mobile phones by making them more attractive to the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a data package for uploading to a mobile image phone, including: - an audio component defining a sequence of audio tones for the phone to play when the phone receives a call; and - an image component which defines at least one image to accompany the audio tones which is displayed by the phone when it receives a call.

Thus, when the phone receives an incoming call the user is alerted by a chosen ring tone which is also accompanied by a customised image on the phones display screen.

With a suitably equipped phone it is possible for the user to associate a particular caller with a specific ring tone and image. The image could be used to remind the user who is calling before the call is answered, e.g. by displaying an image of the caller. The image could also have a humorous association. For example, if the users brother calls a picture of a gorilla could be displayed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the image component defines a sequence of images which are displayed sequentially to produce a moving image. Thus, it is possible for a user to install a short video clip of their favourite football team, a pop star, an animal, or any other subject for display whenever the phone receives a call.

The image or image sequence will generally (though not necessarily) be associated with the sound sequence in some way. By way of further example, the ring tones could reproduce the Robbie Williams hit "Let Me Entertain You" accompanied by a video clip of a girl dancer removing items of clothing.

The data package will normally be uploaded by means of an incoming telephone call, although it would also be possible to upload the information via a data link to a laptop computer for example. The data package may be supplied to the computer from a CD or DVD ROM, or via the internet, etc. As is presently the case with custom ring tones, the user will be normally required to pay for the data package. However, the invention opens up the possibility of increased revenue since the user is also purchasing an image or image sequence, which may comprise copyright material. It is also possible for users to supply their own image sequence, e.g. an AVI or MPEG file which can be prepared using a computer equipped with a web cam. The service provider can then charge for incorporating the image file into a data package along with ring tone sequence of the user's choice and uploading the package to the user's phone. In this way the owner of a suitably equipped mobile phone can customise the phone so that when their mother rings for example, not only is a distinctive ring tone produced to inform the user that their mother is calling but a picture or moving image of their mother is also displayed. A caller image and ring tones can be associated with each number which is programmed into the phones memory so that an image of each caller is displayed before the call is answered.

The still or moving image data could also comprise advertising or promotional material. This could be accompanied by audio ring tones which play an advertising jingle.

The invention also provides a mobile image phone which is adapted to have such a data package installed thereon.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

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Claims

1. A data package for uploading to a mobile image phone, including: - an audio component defining a sequence of audio tones for the phone to play when the phone receives a call; and - an image component which defines at least one image to accompany the audio tones which is displayed by the phone when it receives a call.

2. A data package according to Claim 1 in which the image component defines a sequence of images which are displayed sequentially to produce a moving image.

3. A data package according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the data package is suitable to be uploaded to the mobile image phone by means of a telephone call.

4. A data package according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the data package is suitable to be uploaded to the mobile image phone via a data link.

5. A data package according to Claim 4 in which the data package is suitable to be uploaded to the mobile image phone via a data link to a computer.

6. A data package according to Claim 5 in which the data package is supplied on a CD or DVD ROM.

7. A data package according to Claim 5 in which the data package is supplied via the internet.

8. A data package for uploading to a mobile image phone, substantially as described herein.

9. A mobile image phone having an uploadable data package installed thereon, the data package including: - an audio component defining a sequence of audio tones for the phone to play when the phone receives a call; and - an image component which defines at least one image to accompany the audio tones which is displayed by the phone when it receives a call.

10. A mobile image phone according to Claim 9 which includes a display screen on which the image component is displayed.

11. A mobile image phone according to Claim 9 or 10 which is capable of storing a plurality of such data packages.

12. A mobile image phone according to Claim 1 1 having a memory which stores the phone numbers of callers, and in which the phone number of a particular caller can be associated with a specific audio component and image to remind the user who is calling before the call is answered.

13. A mobile image phone according to any of Claims 9 to 12 in which the image component defines a sequence of images which are displayed sequentially to produce a moving image.

14. A mobile image phone according to any of Claims 9 to 13 in which the data package can be uploaded to the phone by means of a telephone call.

15. A mobile image phone according to any of Claims 9 to 13 in which the data package can be uploaded to the phone via a data link.

16. A mobile image phone according to Claim 15 in which the data package can be uploaded to the phone via a data link to a computer.

17. A mobile image phone according to Claim 16 in which the data package is supplied on a CD or DVD ROM.

18. A mobile image phone according to Claim 16 in which the data package is supplied via the internet.

19. A mobile image phone substantially as described herein.

20. A mobile telephone system which includes mobile image phones and a data package for uploading to a mobile image phone, including: - an audio component defining a sequence of audio tones for the phone to play when the phone receives a call; and - an image component which defines at least one image to accompany the audio tones which is displayed by the phone when it receives a call.

21. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 20 in which the mobile image phones include a display screen on which the image component is displayed.

22. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 20 or 21 in which the mobile image phones are capable of storing a plurality of such data packages.

23. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 22 in which the mobile image phones have a memory which stores the phone numbers of callers, and in which the phone number of a particular caller can be associated with a specific audio component and image to remind the user who is calling before the call is answered.

24. A mobile telephone system according to any of Claims 20 to 23 in which the image component defines a sequence of images which are displayed sequentially to produce a moving image.

25. A mobile telephone system according to any of Claims 20 to 24 in which the data package is uploaded to the phone by means of a telephone call.

26. A mobile telephone system according to any of Claims 20 to 24 in which the data package is uploaded to the phone via a data link.

27. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 26 in which the data package is uploaded to the phone via a data link to a computer.

28. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 27 including a CD or DVD ROM on which the data package is supplied to the computer.

29. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 27 in which the data package is supplied to the computer via the internet.

30. A mobile telephone system according to any of Claims 20 to29 in which the mobile image phone user is required to pay for the data package.

31. A mobile telephone system according to any of Claims 20 to in which users can supply an image component for incorporation into the data package.

32. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 31 in which the image component is supplied for incorporation into the data package in the form of an AVI or MPEG file.

33. A mobile telephone system according to Claim 31 or 32 in which the user is required to pay for incorporation of the image file into the data package.

34. A mobile telephone system substantially as described herein.

35. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone which includes providing a data package for uploading to the phone, said data package including: - an audio component defining a sequence of audio tones for the phone to play when the phone receives a call; and - an image component which defines at least one image to accompany the audio tones which is displayed by the phone when it receives a call.

36. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 35 in which the image component is displayed on a display screen of the mobile image phone.

37. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 35 or 36 in which a plurality of such data packages are stored on the mobile image phone.

38. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 37 in which the phone numbers of callers are stored in a memory of the mobile image phone, and the phone number of a particular caller is associated with a specific audio component and image to remind the user who is calling before the call is answered.

39. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to any of Claims 35 to 38 in which the image component defines a sequence of images which are displayed sequentially to produce a moving image.

40. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to any of Claims 35 to 39 in which the data package is uploaded to the phone by means of a telephone call.

41. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to any of Claims 35 to 39 in which the data package is uploaded to the phone via a data link.

42. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 41 in which the data package is uploaded to the phone via a data link to a computer.

43. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 42 which includes supplying the data package to the computer on a CD or DVD ROM.

44. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 43 which includes supplying the data package to the computer via the internet.

45. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to any of Claims 35 to 44 in which the mobile image phone user is required to pay for the data package.

46. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to any of Claims 35 to 45 in which users supply an image component for incorporation into the data package.

47. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 46 in which the image component is supplied for incorporation into the data package in the form of an AVI or MPEG file.

48. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone according to Claim 46 or 47 in which the user is required to pay for incorporation of the image file into the data package.

49. A method of enhancing a mobile image phone substantially as described herein.