Method and apparatus for providing picture caller identification feature
View Patent ↗An apparatus having a picture caller identification (“CID”) feature provides enhanced entertainment value and is also capable of preventing screen burn. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store data indicating an association between a first plurality of pictures and a first phone number, and a processor operative to enable display of the first plurality of pictures in response to receiving a phone call from the first phone number.
1. A method of displaying photographs using a telecommunications apparatus, comprising the steps of:
associating a first plurality of photographs with a first phone number, said associating step enabling a user to modify a parameter of at least one of said first plurality of photographs; and
displaying said first plurality of photographs one at a time in a rotating manner in response to receiving a phone call from said first phone number,
wherein said associating step further includes enabling a user to select a time period that at least one of said first plurality of photographs is displayed.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
associating a second plurality of photographs with a second phone number; and
displaying said second plurality of photographs one at a time in a rotating manner in response to receiving a phone call from said second phone number.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising interrupting said rotation of said first plurality of photographs in response to one of a user answering said phone call and said user completing said phone call.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said associating step includes enabling a user to select at least one of said first plurality of photographs.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said associating step includes enabling a user to select a temporal order that at least one of said first plurality of photographs is displayed.
6. An apparatus, comprising:
means for storing data indicating an association between a first plurality of photographs and a first phone number;
means for selecting a time period that at least one of said first plurality of photographs is displayed;
means for modifying a parameter of at least one of said first plurality of photographs; and
means for enabling display of said first plurality of photographs one at a time in a rotating manner in response to receiving a phone call from said first phone number.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
said storing means stores data indicating an association between a second plurality of photographs and a second phone number; and
said enabling means enables display of said second plurality of photographs one at a time in a rotating manner in response to receiving a phone call from said second phone number.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein enabling means causes said rotation of said first plurality of photographs to be interrupted in response to one of a user answering said phone call and said user completing said phone call.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for selecting at least one of said first plurality of photographs.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for selecting a temporal order that at least one of said first plurality of photographs is displayed.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said first plurality of photographs represents a video sequence of moving photographs.
12. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said first plurality of photographs is stored in said storing means.
13. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory for storing data indicating an association between a plurality of photographs and a phone number;
a controller coupled to said memory for enabling: display of said plurality of photographs in response to receiving a phone call from said number, a user to modify a parameter of at least one of said first plurality of photographs, and a user to select a time period that at least one of said first plurality of photographs is displayed; and
a display coupled to said controller for displaying said plurality of photographs one at a time in a rotating manner as determined by controller.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said display is in a base unit of said phone apparatus.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the association between a plurality of photographs and a phone number includes a first association between a first plurality of photographs and a first phone number and a second association between a second plurality of photographs and a second phone number.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said controller causes said rotation of said plurality of photographs to be interrupted in response to one of a user answering said phone call and said user completing said phone call.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein a user selects at least one of said plurality of photographs.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one of said plurality of photographs is communicated between a base unit and a handset.