(12) United States Patent
`Schiller et al.
`
`USOO6442573B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,442,573 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`W
`W,
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`DISTRIBUTING PICTURE MAIL TO A
`FRAME DEVICE COMMUNITY
`(75) Inventors: Dean Schiller, Glendale; Paul
`Yanover, Los Angeles, both of CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: Ceiva Logic, Inc., Burbank, CA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/458,849
`(22) Filed:
`Dec. 10, 1999
`G06F 15/00
`(51) Int. Cl."
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 707/500.1; 709/218; 358/403;
`345/719
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 345/302, 327
`345/719, 709/218, 215; 713/2; 70775001.
`s
`s
`s
`s
`3587403
`
`(56)
`
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`98/04088
`* 1/1998
`98/26548
`6/1998 ........... HO4L/29/06
`99/04342
`* 1/1999
`... GO6F/13/00
`99/44339
`* 9/1999
`... HO4L/12/28
`25: : Yo
`RM78
`OO/29960
`* 5/2000 ........... GO6F/13/00
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Hagawara-Sys-Com, “LUKIS (TM) JPEG Image Viewer
`(product information),' web page downloaded from www.h-
`scus.com/prod03 No. n/a, pp. 1-2, Apr. 2001.*
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner Heather R. Herndon
`Assistant Examiner Jeffrey A. Rossi
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- The Hecker Law Group
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method and apparatus for distributing picture mail to a
`frame device community is described. The present invention
`comprises one or more interconnected frame devices. Each
`frame device has a display region (e.g. an LCD) Surrounded
`with a border region modeled to resemble a traditional
`References Cited
`picture frame. The border region may be comprised of wood,
`plastic, or any other aesthetically pleasing compound. Each
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`frame device is configured to connect to an interconnection
`34.5/107
`4,742,345 A
`5/1988 Santo et all
`5394.166 A 2/1995 Shimada .34598 fabric to periodically obtain image data from a centralized
`5.448,372 A * 9/1995 Axman et al. .
`... 358/403
`repository and then display that data according to criteria
`5,561,531. A * 10/1996 Funazaki ......
`... 358/403
`established by an authorized user. The data repository is
`5,612,741 A 3/1997 Loban et al. ..
`... 248/383
`populated with image data via the image collection process.
`5,680,535 A * 10/1997 Harbinet al......
`... 345/473
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, the user may
`5,706,457 A * 1/1998 Dwyer et al. ............... 345/835
`specify filter criteria which establishes what network
`(List continued on next page.)
`addresses (e.g. picture mail address) are authorized to popu
`late the data repository. The filter criteria and other infor
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`mation Such as the behavior characteristics of each frame
`92/05657
`* 2/1992
`HO4N/1/21
`device are established and/or managed via a picture box. The
`95/30300
`* 11/1995 ..H04M 1100
`picture box resides on a Server computer and may be
`95/31872
`* 11/1995 ............ H04N/7/10
`obtained by the user upon demand.
`96/29639
`* 9/1996
`...
`... GO6F/1/OO
`97/471.06
`12/1997 ............. HO4L/9/00
`
`17 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`.250
`
`-
`
`250
`
`-250
`
`28
`
`258
`
`As EEEs Es (EEEEE
`-- - - I A211...|.
`
`INTERCONECGNFABRIC
`
`–
`
`-215
`
`SERAE SYSTEA
`
`-28
`PICTURE BOX
`ENGIE
`
`PCitiFE BOXAA
`
`
`
`AGEBAA
`
`214
`DATA REPOSITORY
`
`260
`
`EAA
`SORCE
`
`Y-213
`
`217
`RIERCOECTION FABRIC
`-223
`22
`CEN
`CENT
`-22
`-22:
`RCE
`FORE
`BOX
`80
`IEER
`IEEER
`252
`253
`FCRE
`PCIRE
`BOX
`BOX
`
`a25
`CE
`228
`PCTRE
`BOX
`FEER
`254
`PICTURE
`EOX
`
`I/27
`CEENT
`228
`PCRE
`80%
`SEER
`285
`PCRE
`BOX
`
`219
`Cliff
`220
`
`REER
`251
`PCREE
`80%
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 001
`
`

`

`US 6,442,573 B1
`Page 2
`
`Y is
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Kodak, Inc. Smart Picture Frame ... for the Story Box (TM)
`5,708,826 A
`1/1998 Ikeda et al. .............. 707/501.1
`Network (product
`description), downloaded from
`5,740,549 A * 4/1998 Reilly et al. .................. 705/14
`S. A : 8.
`Rus' s
`- - - 3: www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/assessories/SmartFrame/ On
`5,862.297 A * 1/1999 Timmermans
`SC, Apr 2001 (7 p. reprint).
`&&NT
`5,864,387 A * 1/1999 Reed et al. ................... 35.
`Heather Newman Free Press Staff, W., Nifty Ways You Can
`5,870,172 A
`2/1999 Blume ........................ 70s/105
`Soup up Your Machine." Detroit Free Press No-, pp. 3E,
`5,898,600 A 4/1999 Isashi ...........
`... 708/105
`Aug. 1999.
`5,905,492 A 5/1999 Straub et al. .....
`... 345/744
`Anonymous, “Visions of the Future,” Blaricum, Neather
`5,913,088 A 6/1999 Moghadam et al.
`... 396/311
`lands: V+K Publishing No. ISBN 9066115912, pp. 12–13,
`
`2Y-Y-2
`
`Oyle et al. ......
`
`- - -
`
`5,923,736 A 7/1999 Shachar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 379/93.17
`
`5,923,738 A : 7/1999 Cardillo, IV et al. ... 379,9325
`5,930,501 A 7/1999 Neil
`... . . . . . . . . . 345/619
`6,005,690 A * 12/1999 Suzuki et al......
`... 358/403
`6,025,827 A * 2/2000 Bullock et al. ...
`707/500.1
`6,037,989 A * 3/2000 Kim .............
`348/441
`6,058,428 A * 5/2000 Wang et al. ...
`... 709/218
`6,067,566 A * 5/2000 Moline .........
`... 709/218
`6,111,586 A * 8/2000 Ikeda et al.
`... 34.5/619
`6,167.469 A 12/2000 Safai et al. ................... 710/62
`6,199,106 B1 * 3/2001 Shaw et al. ................. 709/217
`
`
`
`Dec. 1996 (reprinted 1998).*
`
`Takashi, D. “Doing Fieldwork In the High Tech Jungle', The
`Wall Street Journal, p. B1 & B22, Oct. 27, 1998.*
`66
`ss
`Kirschner, S. K., “Ideas that stick, Popular Science, vol.
`254 No. 2, pp. 27, Feb. 1999.*
`Okamoto et al., “Reproducing Device', translation of WO
`99/54663, as provided by Ralph McElroy Translation Com
`pany (Washington DC), pp. 1-15+Figures.*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 002
`
`

`

`
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`
`
`120
`
`MAIL SERVER
`121
`
`MAIL SERVER
`SOFTWARE
`
`120
`
`MAIL SERVER
`121
`
`MAIL SERVER
`SOFTWARE
`
`
`
`150
`
`WEBSERVER
`151
`
`WEB PAGE
`
`152
`
`WEBSERVER
`SOFTWARE
`
`133
`
`
`
`
`
`125
`
`126
`
`127
`
`128
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`129
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`130
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`131
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`132
`
`CLIENT
`SOFTWARE
`
`CLIENT
`SOFTWARE
`
`CLIENT
`SOFTWARE
`
`CLIENT
`SOFTWARE
`
`FIGURE 1B
`(Prior Art)
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`170
`
`SERVER SYSTEM
`172
`
`190
`
`WEB
`FORM
`
`173
`
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`175
`
`176
`
`177
`
`178
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`180
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`180
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`180
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`180
`
`WEB
`BROWSER
`
`WEB
`BROWSER
`
`WEB
`BROWSER
`
`WEB
`BROWSER
`
`FIGURE 10
`(Prior Art)
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`
`
`2. 41 FRAME a
`DEVICES
`203 El
`
`
`
`
`
`250
`
`4. (n). FRAME
`DEVICES
`1-22 lb 322
`
`b - a a a -a as a - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -m as - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`INTERCONNECTION FABRIC
`
`
`
`
`
`215 (3 O
`233
`SERVER SYSTEM
`PICTURE BOX DATA
`
`260
`
`216
`PICTURE BOX
`ENGINE
`
`
`
`
`
`IMAGE DATA
`
`214
`DAIA REPOSITORY
`
`DATA
`SOURCE
`
`213
`
`217
`INTERCONNECTION FABRIC
`221
`223
`
`225
`
`219
`
`CLIENT
`220
`
`CLIENT
`221
`
`CLIENT
`224
`
`CLIENT
`226
`PICTURE
`BOX
`VIEWER
`254
`PICTURE
`BOX
`
`CLIENT
`228
`PICTURE
`BOX
`VIEWER
`255
`PICTURE
`BOX
`
`FIGURE 2A
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`TOLL-FREE
`LOCAL
`NUMBER NUMBER A26 1
`Z2 WEB
`E.
`BROWSER
`200
`
`262
`
`260-
`
`278
`
`2 % % % 2. % 22
`g O N
`TE LE 5. E. s C s : s
`
`3
`
`-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----------------------n - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`280
`
`2 7 7
`
`ch f E. G
`
`
`
`REGISTRATION
`L SERVER
`281 ( ;
`- -
`LOG
`INFO:2/4
`- REPOSITORY
`SERVER
`
`
`
`SUBMISSION/ IMAGE
`PROCESSING
`ENGINE
`270 1/2
`Ef (n) WEB
`SERVERS
`
`DATA
`. REPOSITORY
`
`--- a-- - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------------------- - - - - - m an in a m - a - - - - a-- a----------, m- or an -- on a - a a -
`
`273
`FIGURE 2B
`
`273
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`329
`
`POWER SOURCE
`300
`
`PUSHBUTTON
`SWITCH
`
`303
`
`PHOTO
`SENSOR
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`INTERFACE
`
`340
`
`355
`
`313
`
`LCD
`DISPLAY
`
`307
`
`DRAM
`
`309
`
`FLASH
`MEMORY
`
`DRAM
`
`312
`
`311
`
`NETWORK LINK
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`INTERCONNECTION
`FABRIC
`
`FIGURE3
`
`PICTURE BOX
`DATABASE
`
`400
`
`401
`
`USER DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`FRAME
`DATABASE
`
`FRAME
`DATABASE
`
`FRAME
`DATABASE
`
`FRAME
`DATABASE
`
`FRAME
`DATABASE
`
`411
`
`CONTENT PROVIDER DATABASE
`415
`CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION DATABASE
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`X03 EHTIÖIHT|||||||||||||||||||E|
`
`
`
`|
`| 9
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`OBIAIN IMAGE DATA
`
`PRFPARE IMAGE DATA
`FORSUBMISSION TO A
`FRAME DEVICE
`
`TRANSMIT IMAGE DATA
`TOELECTRONIC MAIL
`ADDRESS ASSOCATED
`WITH THE FRAME
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOES IMAGE DATA
`SATISFYFILTER
`CRITERA
`p
`
`606
`DISCARD IMAGE DATA
`OR RETURN TO SENDER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`609
`LOAD IMAGE DATA INTO
`DATA REPOSITORY
`
`
`
`611
`OBTAIN IMAGE DATA
`FROM DATA
`REPOSITORY
`
`
`
`DISPLAYIMAGE DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGURE 6
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`Z/
`
`180
`
`9
`
`| |
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`800
`CONNECT FRAME DEVICE
`TO POWER SOURCE AND
`COMMUNICATION MEDIUM
`
`803
`CONNECT FRAME DEVICE
`TODATA REPOSITORY WIA
`INTERCONNECTION
`FABRIC
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`805
`
`
`
`DOES
`THE DATA
`REPOSITORY
`CONTAIN A RECORD
`FOR THE FRAME
`DEVICE
`2
`
`YES
`
`809
`
`OBTAIN BEHAWIOR
`CHARACTERISTICS FOR
`FRAME DEVICE
`
`NO
`
`807
`PROMPTUSER ON FRAME
`DEVICE
`
`811
`OBTAIN PICTURE BOX
`
`813
`DETERMINE BEHAVIOR
`CHARACTERISTICS
`
`815
`
`LOAD BEHAWIOR
`CHARACTERISTICS INTO
`DAIA REPOSITORY
`
`FIGURE 8
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`900
`
`IS POWER
`SOURCE AND
`COMMUNICATION
`SOURCE
`ACTIVE
`p
`
`
`
`N0
`
`YES
`OBTAN MAGE DATA
`FORM FRAME DEVICE
`
`/-901
`
`DISPLAy IMAGE DATA
`TO USER
`
`-902
`
`903
`
`M0
`
`DOES FRAME
`HAVE LOCAL
`NUMBER
`SEQUENCE
`IN MEMORY
`2
`
`909
`CONNECT WIA LOCAL
`NUMBER SEQUENCE
`
`YES
`OBTAIN CONFIGURATION -904
`NUMBER FROM
`FRAME DEVICE
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`905.
`DIAL CONFIGURATION
`NUMBER
`
`906
`OBIAIN LOCAL NUMBER
`SEQUENCE FROM DATA
`REPOSITORY
`907
`SAVE LOCAL NUMBER
`SEOUENCE IN FRAME
`DEVICE MEMORY
`908
`DISCONNECTAND
`RECONNECT WIA LOCAL
`NUMBER SEQUENCE
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1003
`DISCONNECT
`AND WAIT FOR
`RECONNECT
`COMMAND
`
`CONNECT FRAME DEVICE
`TO ACCESS ARRAY WIA
`INTERCONNECTION
`FABRIC
`
`IS FRAME DEVICE
`AUTHORIZED TO CONNECT
`TO ACCESS ARRAY
`
`ESTABLISH
`COMMUNICATION SESSION
`WITH DATASERVER
`
`
`
`IS FRAME
`DEVICE AUTHORIZED
`TO CONNECT TO
`DATASERVER
`
`Y ES
`
`1008
`
`TRANSMIT DAIA TO
`FRAME DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DD FRAME DEVICE
`RECEIVE EXPECTED
`DATA
`2
`
`
`
`WO
`
`YES
`
`1012
`TRANSMIT METADATA AND
`LOG TODAIA SERVER
`
`
`
`DD DATASERVER
`RECEIVE EXPECTED
`METADATA
`p
`
`
`
`
`
`N0
`
`YES
`
`1016
`TRANSMTPACKAGE DATA
`TO FRAME DEVICE
`
`1018
`PERFORMCHECKSUM,
`DISCONNECT.
`UNPACKAGE DAIA
`
`FIGURE 10
`
`Meta Platforms, Inc.
`Exhibit 1028
`Page 014
`
`

`

`US 6,442,573 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`DISTRIBUTING PICTURE MAIL TO A
`FRAME DEVICE COMMUNITY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to the field of computer software.
`More specifically, the invention relates to a method and
`apparatus for distributing picture mail to a frame device
`community.
`Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain
`material that is Subject to copyright protection. The copy
`right owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction
`by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as
`it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records,
`but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`The device also has built-in speaker(s) 105 and volume
`control 107. Speakers 105 provide a way to play back Sound
`data introduced to the device via storage media 103. Volume
`control 107 allows the user of the device to adjust the decibel
`level. Control mechanism 109 contains the Software and/or
`hardware utilized to control how data is displayed. For
`example, control mechanism 109 has a slide show mode that
`allows the user to display Several images at varying inter
`vals. Control mechanism 109 also provides the system with
`a way to delete unwanted images or keep certain images
`from being deleted. Control mechanism 109 is configured to
`provide other functionality, Such as a sleep timer, brightness
`control, an indeX mode, an automatic angle detector, and a
`touchless Sensor.
`A problem with prior art mechanisms, Such as the one
`illustrated in FIG. 1a, is that the user must physically
`provide storage media 103 to the device. Thus, a person who
`does not have physical access to the device cannot introduce
`new images into the device. Moreover, the device cannot be
`controlled from a remote location. For example, making
`changes to a web site cannot control the behavior of the
`control mechanism.
`A further problem is that the functions offered by control
`mechanism 109 cannot be remotely updated, modified, or
`otherwise changed. For example, a new feature, Such as the
`ability to obtain new images from a network, cannot be
`added by transmitting a Software update to the device from
`a remote source. The device illustrated in FIG. 1a is isolated
`from other devices and therefore does not have the ability to
`communicate with Such devices over a telecommunication
`medium.
`Another limitation inherent in the design of the prior art
`device is that the device cannot automatically receive dif
`ferent types of image data. For example, the device cannot
`obtain different types of image data via an image delivery
`Service. The user of the device illustrated in FIG. 1a cannot
`elect to periodically receive information relating to a par
`ticular topic Such as the weather report. Computer networks
`are a prior art mechanism used to propagate data to devices
`connected to the network. The following Section describes
`Several techniques used to Send and receive data acroSS Such
`computer networks and explains the limitations and disad
`Vantages associated with Such techniques.
`Computer Networks
`A network is an amalgamation of interconnected comput
`erS. Devices properly connected to the network may utilize
`the network to communicate with other devices coupled to
`the network. A Server computer, for example, may use a
`network to transmit data to a client computer for display.
`There are Several different techniques for propagating data
`to devices connected to the network. For example, electronic
`mail, client pull, and Server push mechanisms all are
`examples of techniques that provide a way to transmit data
`to a client computer. However, these techniques lack a
`mechanism for establishing and then controlling the behav
`ior of a device from a remote location. For example, these
`techniques cannot dynamically obtain image data from a
`networked data Source and then display that data according
`to the behavior criteria established by an authorized user.
`A. Electronic Mail Systems:
`The following Section discusses electronic mail Systems
`and points out the limitations associated with using Such
`Systems to distribute image data. An electronic mail System
`is an example of a prior art System used to distribute data to
`one or more recipients. The electronic mail System, for
`
`Traditional Picture Frames
`Picture frames provide a visually pleasing way to present
`photographs for display. People typically prefer to use
`picture frames, rather than digital display mechanisms (e.g.
`computer monitors), because of the aesthetic qualities asso
`ciated with Such frames. However, several problems and
`disadvantages result from the use of traditional picture
`frames.
`For example, a problem that may be encountered by
`picture frame users is that changing the picture in the frame
`requires a Series of manual Steps. For example, a person who
`wishes to change the picture must manually remove the
`picture and replace it with a new one. Consequently, chang
`ing the picture requires that a person be physically located
`at the same place where the picture frame resides.
`An additional problem with picture frames is that the
`frame does not have the ability to adjust the dimensions
`and/or size of the picture to fit within the display area.
`Pictures placed into the picture frame must correspond to the
`dimensions of the frame's display area. One prior art attempt
`to overcome these limitations is the use of various type of
`digital display device. The following Section describes a
`prior art digital display device and discusses the inherent
`limitations of the device.
`Digital Display Device
`FIG. 1a illustrates a prior art device (e.g. the Sony PHD
`A55 CyberFrameTM) capable of displaying digital images.
`However, there are several problems associated with this
`device. For example, the device lacks the ability to dynami
`cally obtain image data from a networked data Source and
`then display that data according to criteria established by an
`authorized user. The device shown in FIG. 1a consists of a
`display 100. Display 100 is an active matrix LCD screen
`configured to display digital Video data and Still image data.
`The data shown on display 100 is obtained from storage
`media 103. Storage media 103 is a memory medium capable
`of Storing video and/or image data (e.g. a Memory Stick"M).
`The device contains Software and/or hardware configured
`to playback MPEG or JPEG data files obtained from storage
`media 103. The device Supports playback in a variety of
`different resolutions and can, for example, display JPEG
`data in UXGA (1600x1200), SXGA (1280x960), XGA
`(1024x768), or VGA (640x480). MPEG data files are shown
`on display 100 using a presentation mode that Supports a
`resolution of 320x240 or a video mode that uses a resolution
`of 160x112.
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`example, provides users with a way to transmit data from
`one computer to another computer.
`An example of an electronic mail System is shown in FIG.
`1b. The System consists of one or more client computers
`125-128 each having a client software program 129-132
`configured to Send and receive data, a network 133 config
`ured to relay the data to one or more recipients, and a mail
`server 120 having server software 121 configured to store
`the data until it is retrieved by the designated recipient(s).
`A user residing at client computer 125, for example, may
`use the system shown in FIG. 1b to transmit an image file to
`another user residing at a different computer (e.g. client,
`computer. 127). To send the file the user typically executes
`the appropriate client Software program (e.g. client Software
`129), determines the data to be sent, and directs the program
`to Send the data to a recipient. Data that is Sent is routed
`across network 133 to the appropriate mail server 120-123
`associated with the recipient. Once mail server 120 receives
`the data, the Server holds the data in the intended recipients
`account until requested by the recipient. For example, mail
`server 120 will store the data until the recipient residing at
`client computer, 127 executes a local version of client
`Software program 129 and directs the program to obtain data
`from mail server 120.
`A problem associated with using current electronic mail
`Systems is that to receive and view imageS recipients must
`have physical access to a client computer containing a client
`Software program configured to obtain mail data. For
`example, an electronic mail client (e.g. MicroSoft Outlook
`Express) and/or a web browser (e.g. Microsoft Internet
`Explorer) must reside on client computer 127 in order for it
`to obtain data from server 120.
`An additional problem with using current electronic mail
`Systems is that in order to receive data the recipient must
`know how to navigate around the operating System and how
`to use the program utilized to obtain the data. For example,
`in Some instances the recipient is required to manually
`configure the program utilized to obtain data. This requires
`that the recipient know the name and/or address of Server
`120 and be familiar with the settings required to login to
`server 120. Current electronic mail systems cannot, for
`example, automatically connect to an image Source, obtain
`image data for display, and then automatically display the
`image data according to a Set of predetermined preferences.
`Instead, current Systems require the recipient to manually
`perform a Series of Steps before the image data may be
`viewed. For example, receivers that use a Simple Mail
`Transfer Protocol (SMTP)/POP electronic mail system, are
`typically required to 1) open a client program configured to
`connect to the appropriate server, 2) direct the client to
`obtain the image data from the server, 3) Select the electronic
`mail message containing the image data from a list of
`received messages, and 4) provide the image data to a client
`program configured to display the image data.
`In Some instances, however, the receiver cannot use the
`electronic mail client to view the image data, but instead
`must have an application Specially configured to view the
`image data. If, for example, the receiver's electronic mail
`client cannot proceSS imageS Sent in the Tagged Image File
`Format (TIFF), the receiver must have an application
`capable of viewing TIFF files in order to view the image data
`transmitted by the Sender. Thus, a problem with using
`current electronic mail clients to transmit image data is that
`Such clients lack flexibility and require the user to manually
`open the electronic mail message to view the attached image
`data.
`Another problem is that electronic mail client programs
`cannot obtain image data and then display a full sized view
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`of that data without requiring the user to manually intervene.
`Current electronic mail clients are not configured to peri
`odically obtain and then automatically display images.
`Additionally, the receiver cannot control which images may
`be displayed and the frequency with which those images are
`displayed cannot be set based on the receiver's preferences.
`For example, mail clients lack the ability to automatically
`distribute data to a client computer according to a set of
`preferences determined by the user of the client computer.
`Furthermore, the receiver cannot set the behavior character
`istics of the electronic mail client unless physically present
`at the client.
`B. Client Pull:
`The following Section discusses the client pull technique
`and points out the limitations associated with using Such
`Systems to distribute image data. Client pull is an example
`of a technique used to download data from a Server com
`puter. When client pull is employed, data is requested by a
`client computer and then delivered by a Server. For example,
`if web browser 131, executing at client computer 127,
`requests web page 151 stored on web server 150, it will
`cause web server 150 to execute web server Software 152
`which will in turn transmit web page 151 to client computer
`127. The World Wide Web (WWW) is an example of a
`system that utilizes the client pull technique. The WWW is
`a Segment of the Internet that utilizes an application layer
`protocol called the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to
`disseminate and to obtain information from Server comput
`ers (e.g. web server 150).
`HTTP is a request/response protocol used with
`distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information Systems.
`In operation, HTTP enables one computer to request data
`from another. For example, client 127 can use HTTP to
`communicate with web server 150 via network 133. In this
`Scenario web server 150 acts as a data store for one or more
`web pages 151 and is capable of processing client 127's
`requests for such files. The web pages 151 stored on web
`server 150 may contain any type of data. For example, the
`files may contain data used to construct a form, image data,
`text data, or any other type of data. HTTP has communica
`tion methods that utilize the client pull technique to allow
`client 127 to request data from web server 150. Client 127
`may use web browser 131 to initiate a request and thereby
`obtain web page 151.
`Typically, web browser 131 requests at least one web page
`151 from web server 150 and web server Software 151
`responds to the request by forwarding requested web page
`151 to client 127. Once web page 151 arrives the connection
`is between client 127 and web server 150 is terminated.
`Client 127 uses web browser 131 to display requested web
`page 151. Web server 150 does not maintain any state
`information about the request once the connection is termi
`nated. HTTP, which is frequently used to implement client
`pull, is, therefore, a StateleSS application protocol. That is,
`client 127 can send several requests to web server 150, but
`each individual request is treated independent of any other
`request. Web server 150 has no recollection of any previous
`request. Thus, for example, if a form is completed by the
`user and Submitted to web server 150 for processing, the
`Web Server does not maintain a record of the data entered the
`form.
`Once a file is sent from web server 150 to client 127 it
`becomes ready for display. Client 127's web browser 131 is
`typically used to format and display web page 151. Web
`browser 131 allows the user to request and view web page
`131 (or any other web page) without having to learn a
`complicated command Syntax. Examples of Several widely
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`used web browsers include Netscape Navigator, Internet
`Explorer, and Opera. Some web browsers can display Sev
`eral different types of files. For example, web browser 131
`may display files (e.g. web pages) written using the Hyper
`Text Markup Language (HTML), the JavaScript program
`ming language, the ActiveX programming language, or the
`Portable Document Format (PDF). It is also possible to
`display various other types of files using language Such as
`Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) or exten
`sible Markup Language (XML).
`A problem with utilizing client pull to distribute data, is
`that information about what data is to be disseminated to the
`client computer must be contained in the initial request. For
`example, if amuser residing at client 127 wishes to request
`web page 131, the user may do So by entering a Uniform
`Resource Locator (URL) and then transmitting the URL to
`web server 150. The URL is used to identify the name and
`location of web page 131 (e.g. web page 131 resides on web
`server 150). When web server 150 receives the request it
`transmits requested web page 131 to client 127. Web server
`150 is not configured, for example, to transmit data that web
`server 150 determines client 127 needs (e.g. onboard soft
`ware updates).
`Another problem associated with client pull is that it does
`not provide a way to ensure data is displayed only to an
`intended recipient (e.g. a particular device and/or a particu
`lar user). Web server 150, for example, does not provide a
`way to ensure that data intended for display at a certain
`device is only sent to that device (e.g. a device with a unique
`serial number). An additional problem is that client 127
`cannot be directed to request data without input or direction
`from a user residing at client 127. For example, a user
`residing at client 128 cannot control the behavior of client
`127. Systems utilizing client pull do not have a mechanism
`for control the request patterns of multiple devices.
`C. Server Push:
`The following Section discusses the Server push tech
`niques and points out the limitations associated with using
`Such Systems to distribute image data. Server push is a
`technique that provides a way to transmit a predetermined
`data Set from a Server computer to one or more client
`computers. Referring now to FIG. 1c, a System configured to
`perform one or more Server push operations is shown. The
`System is generally composed of a Server System 170, a
`network 173, and client computers 175-171. Each element
`of the System is configured to perform a task. Server System
`170, for example, transmits data to any client computer
`175–171 scheduled to receive data. Network 173 provides
`end-to-end connectivity for the System and thereby links
`server system 170 with client computers 175–171.
`Each client computer 175-171 contains software config
`ured to provide the user with an interface for operating the
`computer (e.g. an operating System). A web browser 180,
`residing at each client, provides users with a way to inform
`server 170 what type of data to send and how often data of
`that type should be sent. For example, if the user of client
`computer 175 wishes to have server 170 transmit stock
`market quotes (e.g. data 172) to client computer 175 on a
`daily basis, the user may direct server 170 to do’so by
`obtaining a web form 190 from server 170 that provides such
`a option, filling the form out, and Submitting the form to
`server 170. When server 120 receives the data provided by
`the user, it Schedules the Stock market quotes for dissemi
`nation at the interval Specified by the user.
`Server 120 may also be configured to disseminate elec
`tronic mail messages to client computers 125-131 on a
`regular basis. For example, if the user of client computer
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`129, or any other person authorized to control the behavior
`of server 120, directs server 120 to transmit an electronic
`mail messages to client computer 129 once a week, Server
`120 will distribute an electronic mail message to client
`computer 129 at the interval specified by, the user.
`Other types of data, Such as document written using the
`HyperText Markup Language (HTML) may also be trans
`mitted to client computers 175-171 for display. Such docu
`ment may, for example, be embedded into the graphical user
`interface (e.g. the GCU desktop) or shown as Screen Savers.
`Examples, of Such distribution Systems include the active
`desktop included with Internet Explorer and the Screen Saver
`distribution Scheme used by pointcast.
`A problem with Server push Systems is that data is
`transmitted in a unidirectional manner. For example, data
`may be sent from server 170 to client computer 177 using
`Server push techniques, but data cannot be transmitted from
`client computer 175 to client computer 177. Another prob
`lem associated with Server push is that it does not provide a
`way to ensure data is displayed only to an intended recipient
`(e.g. a particular device and/or a particular user). Web Server
`170, for example, does not contain a mechanism for ensur
`ing that data is only Sent to devices having a certain Serial
`number.
`None of the prior art devices and/or systems described
`provide a way to distribute image data to a customizable
`frame devices. The prior art lacks a mechanism for remotely
`customizing the behavior of each frame device and does not
`have a distribution Scheme configured to distribute image
`data to each frame device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A method and apparatus for distributing picture mail to a
`frame device community is described. The present invention
`comprises one or more interconnected frame devices. A
`frame device is a Self-configuring digital picture frame that
`obtains imageS for display from a repository of that may be
`accessed via an interconnection fabric (e.g. a computer
`network). If a person (referred to as a