Method and apparatus for automatically sending a captured image to a phone call participant

Abstract

A method for automatically sending a captured data to a phone call participant using a communication device having a data capture apparatus, includes initiating a communication session to a participant, such as a phone call; initiating a data capture event during the communication session, such as capturing an image; and automatically transmitting the captured data to the participant concurrently with the communication session.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 884,250 filed Jul. 1, 2004, titled “Method and Apparatus for Automatically Sending a Captured Image To A Phone Call Participant,” (now U.S. Pat. No. ______, issued ______), which is commonly owned with this application and is herein incorporated by reference.[0002]The present invention is related to patent application Ser. No. 10 / 774,229 filed Feb. 5, 2004, (1220 / US) titled “Method and System for Transmitting Data Utilizing a Plurality Of Communication Modes in a Communication Device Simultaneously,” (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,349,971, issued Mar. 25, 2008).FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to mobile communication devices, and more particularly to a method and system for automatically transmitting captured data from a communication device during an active communication session.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Hand held commun...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]According to the method and system disclosed herein, the preferred embodiment of the present invention allows a user of a mobile communication device to capture an image during a phone conversation and to send the image to the phone call participant(s) with minimal user interaction.

Problems solved by technology

One primary limitation of conventional communication devices, such as camera phones, is that the devices lack the ability to allow the user to capture an image while the device is in communications mode, i.e., during a telephone call.

Accordingly, while current communication devices support multiple communication mechanisms and integrate camera functionality, they require a significant amount of user interaction to utilize these mechanisms, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Images