GB2511721A

GB2511721A - Communication system

Info

Publication number: GB2511721A
Application number: GB1222001.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain Williams
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2012-12-06
Filing date: 2012-12-06
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: WO2014087555A1

Abstract

A communication system, devices and methods are described in which users of terminal devices take part in a combined communication session using shared images and a shared configuration for displaying the shared images concurrently at different respective locations on a display. In particular the users can share images to produce a social collage. The system comprises a first communication device 3A, receiving from a user, a configuration for concurrently displaying images at different locations on a display and an identification of at least one other user on a contact list. An invitation to join a communication session is sent to the other user(s) communication devices 3B,3C, along with the defined configuration, which the other user(s) accept or reject. Each communication device obtains image data from memory and/or an imaging device and sends the image data to each user device participating in the communication session. The image data received from each participating communication device and obtained from memory and/or an imaging device is then displayed at different respective locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.

Description

Communication System The present invention relates to a communications system. The invention has particular but not exclusive relevance to wireless communications systems and devices thereof operating according to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards or equivalents oi derivatives thereof. The invention has particulai although not exclusive relevance to the sharing and displaying of pictures among users of communications devices.

Under the 3GPP standards, a NodeB (or an eNB in LTE) is the base station via which mobile telephones connect to a core network and communicate to othei mobile telephones or other such user equipment as part of a mobile or cellular' communication network. For simplicity, the present application will use the term base station to refer to any such base station of a cellulai communication system operating in accordance with any other technical standard.

The latest developments of the 3GPP standards are referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network and E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS Teirestiial Radio Access) netwoik. In addition to conventional communication services (such as voice calls, video calls, mobile internet, etc.), LTE standards provide services for users of communication devices to interact and exchange data between each other. Foi example, users of LTE communication devices can take pictures and post them to picture sharing websites, or share them with friends via social networking sites directly from the terminal devices. Optionally, such shared pictures can be geotagged for displaying them on a map and/or commented to provide additional information about the picture, the peison taking the picture, and/or the persons, objects, events depicted on the picture.

LTE communication devices (e.g. smartphones and the like) often allow the users to install applications to enhance the functionality of theft terminal devices and/or benefit from additional services. Applications for taking and/or editing photographs are very popular among users of terminal devices. For example, there are applications that facilitate creation (and sharing) of photo collages by combining a number of pictures into one image file. The pictures forming part of the collage might be stored on the user's mobile telephones and/oi at othei locations that they can access using their mobile telephone. After processing the selected images to form a collage picture, the user or the application can share the resulting collage in the same manner as sharing normal, individual pictures.

I

Other applications (e.g. a social networking application) display pictures uploaded by various users, e.g. as part of a news feed' or recent activity' or popular images' feature.

Such pictures can also be tagged, commented, or otherwise contributed to by other users of that application or users of such social networking websites.

However, since taking and sharing pictures is a very popular aspect of people's lives, there is a desire to provide more and improved ways for users to interact with each other using pictures.

Accordingly, the present invention provides another method, and associated apparatus and software, for users to interact with each other using pictures. In particular, an embodiment of the present invention allows the creation and sharing of social collages by a group of users in a dynamic and synchronised manner.

Although for efficiency of understanding for those of skill in the art, the invention will be described in detail in the context of a 3GPP technology (UMTS, LIE), the principles of the invention can be applied to other systems in which terminal devices (e.g. User Equipment (UE)) such as mobile telephones access a core network and/or the internet.

In one aspect, the invention provides a communication device comprising: means for receiving input from a user of said communication device (i) for defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and (ii) for identifying at least one other user from a contact list; means for communicating said defined configuration to a respective communication device of each said other user, and for communicating an invitation, to join a combined communication session, to the respective communication device of each said other user; means for receiving image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and means for displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from said memory and/or from imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.

In another aspect, the invention provides a communication device comprising: means for receiving information defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and an invitation to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; means for receiving input fiom a usei of said communication device for accepting or rejecting said invitation; means for receiving image data from a respective communication device associated with each other user paitaking in said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; and means for displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory and/or from said imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.

The input receiving means may be operable to receive an input for associating any of said different respective specified locations with at least one of said users.

The configuration may comprise a template for defining a collage of images defined by said received image data, and said image data obtained from said imaging device. The configuration may also be arranged to define an association between said respective locations and each of said plurality of useis and/or to define at least one of a respective size, a iesolution, and an olientation foi each of said pluiality of different images.

The communication device may further complise means for obtaining additional data associated with said obtained and/or received image data, the additional data comprising at least one of: information identifying a user who provided said image data; information identifying a location associated with the image data; and an annotation, an artwoik, a tag, a rating, and/or a timestamp associated with the image data.

The displaying means may be operable to display at least some of said obtained additional data along with said obtained and/or received image data that said obtained additional data is associated with.

The means for obtaining said image data may be operable to obtain said image data fiom a non-volatile memory.

The communication device may be fuither operable to obtain subsequent image data from said imaging device, to communicate said obtained subsequent image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session, and to replace pieviously displayed image data associated with the usei who provided said subsequent image data.

The communication device may be further operable to receive subsequent image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session, and to replace previously displayed image data associated with the user who provided said subsequent image data.

The image data may comprise a still image.

The communication device may comprise at least one of a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, and user equipment operating in accordance with the long term evolution, LTE, standards.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a communication entity for facilitating a combined communication session between users of a plurality of communication devices, the communication entity comprising: means for receiving, from a first communication device associated with a first one of said plurality of users, information identifying a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a respective display of each of said plurality of communication devices, and an invitation for another one of said users to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; means for communicating information identifying said configuration and said invitation to a communication device associated with said another one of said users; means for receiving, trom said communication device associated with said another one of said users, an indication of acceptance or rejection of said invitation and for facilitating the joining of said communication device associated with said another one of said users, to said combined communication session, in the event of acceptance; means for receiving image data from at least one communication device taking part in said combined communication session; and means for distributing said received image data to each communication device taking part in said combined communication session other than the communication device from which said image data has been received.

The means for identifying said combined communication session may comprise means for maintaining a list of users of said plurality of communication devices that are involved in said combined communication session. The maintaining means may comprise means for adding to said list any user associated with a communication device, from which said communication receiving means has received an indication of acceptance in relation to said combined communication session.

The communication entity may comprise at least one of: a social collage server, a base station, a mobility management entity, and user equipment.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a communication system for facilitating a combined communication session between users of a plurality of communication devices, the communication system comprising: a first communication device comprising: means for receiving input from a user of said communication device (i) for defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and (ii) for identifying at least one other user from a contact list; means for communicating said defined configuration to a respective communication device of each said other user, and for communicating an invitation! to join a combined communication session, to the respective communication device of each said other user; means for receiving image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device of said first communication device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and means for displaying, at said first communication device, said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory and/or from said imaging device of said first communication device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users; a second communication device comprising: means for receiving information defining said configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and said invitation to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; means for receiving input from a user of said second communication device for accepting or rejecting said invitation; means for receiving image data from a respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device of said second communication device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; and means for displaying, at said second communication device, said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory and/or from said imaging device of said second communication device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users; and a communication entity configured for facilitating communication between said first and second communication devices.

The invention also provides a method performed by a communication device, the method comprising: receiving input from a user of said communication device (i) for defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and (U) for identifying at least one other user from a contact list; communicating said defined configuration to a respective communication device of each said other user, and communicating an invitation, to join a combined communication session, to the respective communication device of each said other user; if said at least one other user has joined said combined communication session, then receiving image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session; obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory / imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.

The invention also provides a method performed by a communication device, the method comprising: receiving information defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and an invitation to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; receiving input from a user of said communication device for accepting said invitation; receiving image data from at least one communication device respectively associated with at least one user of said plurality users as part of said combined communication session; obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory / imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.

The invention also provides a method performed by a communication entity for facilitating a combined communication session between users of a plurality of communication devices, the method comprising: receiving, from a first communication device associated with a first one of said plurality of users, information identifying a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a respective display of each of said plurality of communication devices, and an invitation for another one of said users to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; communicating information identifying said configuration and said invitation to a communication device associated with said another one of said users; receiving, from said communication device associated with said another one of said users, an indication of acceptance or rejection of said invitation and facilitating the joining of said communication device associated with said another one of said users, to said combined communication session, in the event of acceptance; receiving image data from at least one communication device of a user taking part in said combined communication session; and distributing said received image data to each communication device taking part in said combined communication session other than the communication device of the user that has provided said received image.

Aspects of the invention extend to computer program products such as computer readable storage media having instructions stored thereon which are operable to program a programmable processor to carry out a method as described in the aspects and possibilities set out above or recited in the claims and/or to program a suitably adapted computer to provide the apparatus recited in any of the claims.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (which term includes the claims) and/or shown in the drawings may be incorporated in the invention independently (or in combination with) any other disclosed and/or illustrated features. In particular but without limitation the features of any of the claims dependent from a particular independent claim may be introduced into that independent claim in any combination or individually.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a cellular telecommunications system to which embodiments of the invention may be applied; Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram of a terminal device forming part of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram of a base station forming part of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a simplified block diagram of a social collage server forming part of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an exemplary screen layout for concurrently displaying pictures from members of a particular picture sharing group on a screen of a terminal device forming part of the system shown in Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a timing diagram showing an example procedure for sharing pictures among elements of the system shown in Figure 1.

Overview Figure 1 schematically illustrates a long term evolution (LTE) telecommunications network 1 in which users of terminal devices 3 (such as mobile telephones, smartphones, laptop computers, and the like) can communicate with each other and with other user equipment via E-UTRAN base stations 5 and a core network 7. The terminal devices 3 might be connected to the core network 7 via other types of wired or wireless connection, e.g. via the Internet 8. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, although a particular number of terminal devices 3 (user equipment) and one base station 5 are shown for illustration purposes in Figure 1, any number of terminal devices 3 and base stations 5 may form part of a deployed telecommunications network 1.

As is well known, a mobile terminal device 3 may enter and leave the areas (i.e. radio cells) served by the base station 5 as the terminal device 3 is moving around in the geographical area covered by the telecommunications system 1. In order to keep track of the terminal devices 3 and to facilitate movement between the different base stations 5, the core network 7 comprises a mobility management entity (MME) 9 which is in communication with the base station 5 coupled to the core network 7. Further, an enhanced serving mobile location centre (E-SMLC -also known as an evolved' SMLC) might be provided in the core network 7, which allows the MME 9 to obtain location related information from the E-SMLC by sending an appropriately configured location request and receiving a location response including the location related information.

The core network 7 also includes, amongst others, one or more gateways (OW) 10 to connect to other networks (e.g. the Internet 8), and a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 11.

The base station 5 is connected to the MME 9 via a so called "Si-AP' interface, also known as an "51-MME' interface, which is defined in the 3GPP Technical Standard (TS) 36.413. The MME 9 is also connected to the HSS 11 via a so-called "S6a" interface. For each terminal device 3, the HSS 11 stores subscription data (such as settings and preferences) and authorisations for accessing the core network 7 and other networks, e.g. the Internet 8. The MME 9 uses the data stored in the HSS 11 for managing the connection of the terminal devices 3 to the core network 7.

When connected to the core network 7 via a base station 5, each terminal device 3 communicates via an air interface (the so-called "Uu" interface) with their respective base station 5. Communication between the core network 7 and an external IP network, such as the Internet 8, is provided via a serving gateway (S-GW) and a packet data network gateway (P-GW). It will be appreciated that the functionalities of the S-GW and the P-GW could be implemented either as standalone entities or in a single entity, such as the GW shown in Figure 1.

Users of terminal devices 3 can connect to social networking and photo sharing websites using the above described network architecture. For example, once a photo is taken, the users can select a website to which the photo is to be uploaded and they may also add comments on the photo or update their status information at the same time. Each user may share their own pictures and comments on such websites, and may also follow other user's updates (e.g. photographs and comments) using their terminal devices 3.

In this example, users of the terminal devices 3 are advantageously able to form a picture sharing group for creating a so-called social collage. A social collage' is a combination of multiple pictures from multiple users that can be created using specifically adapted terminal devices 3 via interaction with a server 12 (herein referred to as a Social Collage Server (SCS) 12) which may be external to the core network 7 (as shown) or part of it.

Each user can contribute to the social collage by sharing one (or more) of their pictures, which is then added to the collage for displaying on all participating terminal devices 3 concurrently. The pictures forming the social collage are typically shown side by side and/or in a predefined arrangement (or collage outline', layout' or template'), which is common to all participating terminal devices 3.

A session for sharing pictures among users by way of a social collage is initiated by one of the users (a collage creator') of compatible terminal devices 3. The collage creator selects, on his/her terminal device 3 an outline (layout, template, etc.) for the social collage and adds his/her own picture to an area associated with this user / terminal device. The collage creator then invites other users to take part in the social collage session and shares with them the selected collage outline and any picture(s) already included in the collage. In this example, the collage creator also selects a specific part of the social collage for each invited user. It will be appreciated, however, that the other users may select (or re-select) an area themselves and/or may be able to change the selected area.

On receiving the invitation, the social collage is advantageously displayed on the respective terminal device 3 of each invited user as well as the terminal device 3 of the user who initiates the collage session. If these users accept the invitation and joins the social collage session, they can then take a photograph which can be automatically or manually added to a selected/assigned area of the collage, and which is updated and shown on each participating users terminal device 3, substantially simultaneously and in real-time. The images can also be annotated with comments or artwork, or otherwise manipulated, prior to or after updating to the collage. The images are shown in essentially the same manner on each participating terminal device (subject to variations due to screen sizes, resolutions and/or aspect ratios) due to the common outline and pictures shared among all users. Whenever one of the participating users contributes another picture to the social collage (either to replace his/her previous picture or to add an additional picture) from their terminal device 3, this new picture is dynamically distributed to each participating member (i.e. to their respective terminal devices 3) so that the screens of all terminal devices 3 involved in the social collage session are synchronised and changes to the social collage are shown substantially in real-time.

In this example, the social collage sessions are set up via and managed by the SCS 12, which is a dedicated server, based on information received from the participating terminal devices 3 (i.e. those of the collage creator and the invited users). The social collage server 12 manages user accounts and social collage sessions, provides photo layout styles, communicates user invites to the appropriate terminal devices 3, and gathers and distributes pictures from the terminal devices 3 involved in the session. The SCS 12 monitors whether any new pictures from members of the group are available for sharing, and pushes the new pictures to each terminal device 3 forming part of that group for displaying the new pictures in the social collage.

In this example, the screen areas of each terminal device 3 forming part of a social collage group (e.g. the users of which are involved in a common social collage session) are divided into a number of display sections (or sub-screens), each section corresponding to one user in the sharing group, where the respective users share their photographs with each other. The shared pictures are then brought together for displaying on each terminal device 3 as a social collage'. Therefore, each participating terminal device 3 displays the same content at the same time (i.e. pictures, and possibly notes, from all participating users), in a collage-like manner, such that the content (or at least a part of it) can be dynamically updated by each one of the members of the social collage group.

For example, if there are three users involved in such a social collage group, e.g. terminal devices 3A, 3B, and 3C in Figure 1, the screen areas of these terminal devices are each divided into at least three sub-areas (e.g. sub-areas A, B, and C) where pictures shared by the respective users are shown.

For example, a user of a terminal device 3A may take a picture and add it to the collage displayed on his/her terminal device 3A, along with any additional notes/status update.

Therefore, the terminal device 3A notifies the SOS 12 and sends the picture (and any accompanying notes) to the SOS 12 for sharing with the other terminal devices 3B and 30 that are members of the same social collage session. Preferably! in order to save bandwidth, the shared picture is resized by the terminal device 3A (and/or potentially has its resolution redefined) before it is sent to the SOS 12 (e.g. to modify it to a size that fits the scieen area allocated to the pictures of terminal device 3A on the other terminal devices 3B and 3C in the same share group and/or to decrease the amount of data that needs to be communicated). Alternatively, the shared picture may be resized (and/or have its resolution redefined) by the SOS 12 or the receiving terminal devices 3B and/or 30 themselves.

After sending the picture taken by the user of terminal device 3A to the other terminal devices 3B and SC, the picture is displayed in the screen area marked A' on each of the terminal devices 3A to 3C whilst pictures taken by the users of terminal devices 3B and 30 are shown in the screen areas marked B' and 0', respectively. This beneficially results in a synchronised user experience referred to herein as a social collage'.

Beneficially, this social collaging' does not require post processing (other than optional resizing/resolution redefining to save bandwidth) of images like conventional collage-making applications because images can be added to the collage dynamically as they are taken, i.e. photos can be brought together substantially instantaneously. Further, social collaging' allows contribution / participation by more than one user, thus creating an interactive user experience, and a possibility for groups of users to share simultaneous moments with each other. For example, users at different locations at an event such as a concert can use the social collaging facility to substantially simultaneously share different views, from their respective geographical perspectives.

Terminal device Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the terminal device 3 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the terminal device 3 has a transceiver circuit 31 that is operable to transmit signals to and to receive signals from a base station 5 via one or more antenna 33. The terminal device 3 may also have a network interface 34 that is operable to transmit signals to and to receive signals from other network nodes using a wired connection. In case a network interface 34 is provided, there is no need for an antenna 33.

The terminal device 3 has a controller 37 to control the operation of the terminal device 3.

The controller 37 is associated with a memory 39 and is coupled to the transceiver circuit 31. The terminal device 3 also has an imaging device 38, such as a camera, for capturing images. Although not necessarily shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 3 will of course have all the usual functionality of a conventional terminal device 3 (such as a user interface 35) and this may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software and firmware, as appropriate. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 39 and/or may be downloaded via the telecommunications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD), for example.

The controller 37 is configured to control overall operation of the terminal device 3 by, in this example, program instructions or software instructions stored within memory 39. As shown! these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 41, a communications control module 43, an imaging module 45, a sharing module 46, a group setup module 47, and a contact list 49.

The communications control module 43 is operable to control the communication between the terminal device 3 and other terminal devices 3, the base station 5, or the other communication nodes in the core network 7, such as the social collage server 12.

The imaging module 45 is operable to control the imaging device 38 to take digital photographs (either controlled by the user or an application, e.g. a timer application) and to store them in the memory 39 for later retrieval by the user or an application.

The sharing module 46 is operable to retrieve photographs from the memory 39 (or directly from the imaging module 45) and prepare them for sharing with other users, e.g. by sending to the SCS 12 via the transceiver circuit 31. In addition, the sharing module 46 might also obtain appropriate annotations for the pictures to be shared (e.g. by receiving textual user input (or sound data) via the user interface 35). The sharing module 46 might also perform resizing/resolution modification of the pictures before transmittal to external entities, such as the terminal devices 3 belonging to the same picture sharing group.

The group setup module 47 is operable to allow a user to create and/or join (or leave) picture sharing groups and is operable to manage group memberships and associated piefeiences for the user. The group setup module 47 might store default or other predefined group information in the memory 39 for easy setup of picture sharing with a minimum of user input requiied. Alteinatively, picture sharing groups may be set up by the group setup module 47 based on a user and/or operator preference, such as a common geographical location, a common interest, common social network membership, and the like. The group setup module 47 might beneficially assign a group ID (or receive one from the SCS 12) foi each group that the teiminal device 3 is a member of to allow distinguishing between various groups and to assign different sharing preferences to different groups (although such preferences might be common for all groups that the user of the terminal devices 3 has joined).

The contact list 49 stores contact information for other users and/or members of picture sharing groups that the teiminal device 3 is curiently membei of. The contact list might include, for example, additional information, such as membership of any picture sharing groups, and recent activity, e.g. the last picture (or a set of recent pictures) shared by the paiticular contact and/oi any notes, group id, etc. accompanying the shared picture(s).

The group setup module 47 might use infoimation stoied in the contact list 49 when setting up a new picture sharing group, for example, usernames, real names, last picture, notes, and so on.

Base Station Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the base station 5 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the base station 5 has a transceiver circuit 51 for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from the terminal devices 3 via one or more antenna 53 and a core network interface 55 for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from the core network entities, such as the mobility management entity 9, the gateway 10, the home subscriber server 11, and the social collage seiver 12.

The base station 5 has a controller 57 to control the operation of the base station 5. The controller 57 is associated with a memory 59. Although not necessarily shown in Figure 3, the base station 5 will of course have all the usual functionality of a cellular telephone network base station and this may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software and firmware, as appropriate. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 59 and/or may be downloaded via the communications network 1 or from a removable data stolage device (RMD), foi example. The controller 57 is configured to control the overall operation of the base station 5 by! in this example, program instructions or software instructions stored within memory 59. As shown, these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 61 and a communications control module 63.

The communications control module 63 is operable to control the communication between the base station 5 and the terminal devices 3 and other network entities that are connected to the base station 5.The communications control module 63 is operable to assist exchanging data between the terminal devices 3 connected to this base station 5 and other terminal devices via the social collage server 12. When a picture sharing group is set up within a limited geographical area (such as a concert venue, tourist attraction, football stadium, etc.) served by the base station 5 distributes any available information on that picture sharing group, e.g. by broadcasting and/or transmitting appropriate information to the terminal devices 3 served by this base station 5.

Social collage server Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the SCS 12 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the SCS 12 has a transceiver circuit 71 for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from the terminal devices 3 (via a base station 5 and/or the internet 8) via a communications interface 73. The SCS 12 has a controller 77 to control the operation of the SCS 12. The controller 77 is associated with a memory 79. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 79 and/or may be downloaded via the communications network 1 or from a removable data storage device (RMD), for example. The controller 77 is configured to control the overall operation of the SCS 12 by, in this example, program instructions or software instructions stored within memory 79. As shown, these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 81, a communications control module 83, a group handling module 85, and a collage synchronisation module 87.

The communications control module 83 is operable to control the communication between the SCS 12 and the terminal devices 3 and other network entities that are connected to the SCS 12.

The group handling module 65 is operable to maintain a list of picture sharing groups (or active picture sharing sessions) and associated membership information. Whenever terminal devices 3 join or leave a picture sharing group, the group handling module 65 updates the membership data tor that group as appropriate, e.g. by adding new members and removing old members.

The collage synchronisation module 67 is operable to track activities by members of picture sharing groups maintained by the group handling module 65. In the event of a new picture becoming available from any of the members of a picture sharing groups, the collage synchronisation module 67 is operable to distribute such images to the other members of that group. In case of any associated data (e.g. comments I ratings) are also becoming available, it is also distributed to all members of the appropriate group.

In the above description, the terminal device 3, the base station 5, and the social collage server 12 are described for ease of understanding as having a number of discrete modules (such as the communications control modules and the group setup I group handling modules). Whilst these modules may be provided in this way for certain applications, for example where an existing system has been modified to implement the invention! in other applications, for example in systems designed with the inventive features in mind from the outset, these modules may be built into the overall operating system or code and so these modules may not be discernible as discrete entities. These modules may also be implemented in software, hardware, firmware or a mix of these.

Client application Figure 5 is an exemplary screen layout for concurrently displaying pictures from members of a particular picture sharing group on a screen of a terminal device 3 forming part of the system shown in Figure 1.

In this example, a picture sharing client application is running on the terminal device 3. A display area 90 of the terminal device 3 is divided into multiple sub-areas, in this case three sub-areas 90A, 9DB, and 90C, each corresponding to a different member of the picture sharing group for which pictures are currently displayed. The layout and assignment of sub-areas to different users is managed by the social collage client.

Although not visible in Figure 5, a camera (e.g. a rear-facing camera) is also provided on the terminal device 3 for taking pictures at the activation of a camera button 91.

Optionally, the camera may also be activated by pressing any of the share buttons 93A to 93C associated with the sub-areas 90A to 90C (or the sub-areas themselves) of the collage display screen 90.

When the share button 93 is activated, the client application displays a contact list to select other users for inviting them to the current picture sharing session. After all invitees are selected (e.g. at least one other user), the client application contacts the social collage server 12 and sets up a new picture sharing session between the parties. If a picture has been taken already, the client application displays it in a sub-area (e.g. sub-area 90A) associated with the present user, and also processes and transmits the picture to the social collage server 12 for distributing it to the other members of the present picture sharing session (once they have confirmed their participation).

Whenever a new picture is taken using the client application (or added to the application, e.g. by loading from memory 39), the picture is automatically forwarded by the client application to the other teiminal devices 3 via the social collage seiver 12. Whenevei a picture is taken by another member of the picture sharing session, the client application obtains that picture from them via the social collage server 12 and automatically updates the respective sub-area (e.g. sub-area 90B or 90C) associated with that member.

The appeaiance (e.g. layout, theme, oiientation, respective size) of the displayed sub-screens may be customised and/or sub-screens may be added to (or removed from) the screen 90 using the screen layout manager button 95. Whenever a change is made to the screen layout (e.g. by the collage creator or another user), the new layout is synchronised across all terminal devices 3 taking part in that session.

The client application may also be configured to notify the usei (e.g. highlight any new images, display an appropriate message/icon. sound an alarm, vibrate the terminal device 3, etc.) whenever an update by other members is made so that the user of the present terminal device 3 does not miss any important/interesting information and can track changes being made to the social collage by other users.

Exemplary operation The method for sharing pictures among members of a sharing gioup will now be desciibed in more detail.

Figure 6 is a timing diagram showing an exemplary procedure for sharing pictures among elements of the system shown in Figure 1. In this example, only two terminal devices 3A and 3B and one social collage server 12 are discussed, for sake of simplicity.

The process begins at step S6X, when the user of the terminal device 3A starts a new picture sharing session in the client application. At this step, the user selects other members to take part in the social collage' session (e.g. using the group setup module 47 of the terminal device 3A). In this case, only the user of terminal device 3B is selected.

The user of terminal device 3A may configure, or select a collage design (e.g. an outline', layout', or template') or may use decide to use a default configuration set up by the server.

Next, in S601, the group setup module 47 of the terminal device 3A generates and sends a new session' message to the social collage server 12 and invites the selected participants, in this case the user of terminal device 3B. The new session message informs the social collage server 12 (i.e. its group handling module 85) about the new picture sharing session, which users (i.e. which terminal devices 3) are involved, and if available, also includes any picture to be shared by the terminal device 3A initiating the session.

In step S602 (which might precede the sending of the new session' message at step S601), the client application of the initiating terminal device 3A updates the social collage on its screen 90 by displaying any pictures available thus far (which, at this point, will probably include a picture by the initiating terminal device 3A only). In the absence of any picture shared by the other members of this group (i.e. until such shared pictures become available), the client application may retrieve a recent picture by that member from the memory 39 of the terminal device 3A for displaying on the screen 90. Alternatively, the client application may retrieve a profile picture of the other member from the contact list 49 or may simply display a substantially blank area possibly including identification information for the user invited to use that area.

Upon receipt of the new session' notification by the social collage server 12, its group handling module processes the data included in the notification and updates its share session database, at step S603. Next, the collage synchronisation module 87 generates and sends, at step S604, an appropriate invite message for each participant (in this case, terminal device SB) invited to join this session. This message (or possibly a different message) may also include any picture that has been shared already among the participants of the present picture sharing group. This message (or possibly a different message) may also include information for identifying the collage design (e.g. an outline', layout', or template') selected/configured by the collage creator.

Next, the user of the invited terminal device 3B accepts the invitation (e.g. by appropriate interaction with their client application), thus at step S605 they also join the picture sharing session. In step S606, the acceptance of the invitation is notified to the social collage server 12, which then confirms this, in step S607, to the inviting terminal device 3A. At substantially the same time, the second terminal device 3B displays the social collage including any pictures received thus far.

Whenever a participating user takes a new picture for sharing using the camera (i.e. imaging device 38 and imaging module 45) provided on their device (or selects a picture from memory 39), the picture to be shared is transmitted to the SCS 12 by the sharing module 46 of that terminal device 3. In the example shown in Figure 6, the second user takes a picture at step S609, which is notified to the social collage server 12 at step S61 1.

After updating its share session database at step S613, the SCS 12 notifies, in step S615, the other members of the picture sharing group (in this case terminal device 3A) about the changes to the social collage. Upon receipt of the notification, the terminal device 3A updates its social collage display with the newly received picture (step S617). Steps S611 to S617 are repeated each time a new picture is taken (i.e. whenever step 5609 is performed). Although not shown in Figure 6, the same steps are performed (with like messages sent in the reverse direction), whenever the user of terminal device 3A takes a picture, which is then updated on the social collage display of terminal device 3B.

Steps S620 to S627 illustrate notification of changes to participants of the social collage session when one of the participants (in this example, the user of terminal device 3B) leaves the social collage session. Step S620 is initiated by terminal device 3B, e.g. upon the user of this device initiating closing of the client application by pressing an exit button or the like. In response to this, the group setup module 47 of terminal device 3B generates and sends a notify changes message to the SCS 12. In response to receiving this message, the SOS 12 updates its database accordingly, in step S623. Next, in step S625, the SOS 12 informs the remaining participating terminal devices about this change and updates the social collage accordingly, e.g. by removing the picture previously provided by terminal device 3B from the social collage. In step S627, the still participating terminal device 3A updates its social collage display. The sub-screen that was previously allocated to the user leaving the session may be made available for other users to join by sending them an appropriate invite message.

Usage scenario I -same time, same place In this exemplary scenario, a group of users who are at the same location (e.g. at a concert, a party, a cultural or sports event, a tourist destination, etc.) can participate in a picture sharing session and tell each other their comments on the eventlsight from their unique perspective. For example, showing pictures (and possibly comments) on a single screen (as a picture collage) by several members of the given picture sharing group, it is possible to get more detailed information about the event or location and a better overall user experience than by simply sharing pictures after the event has taken place, or by looking up pictures shared by other users one by one.

In a particular example, all (or most of the) participants in a picture sharing session might be located at the same concert or the like. One of the users then creates a picture sharing group and invites his/her friends at the venue (or any other user at the same venue) to join this picture sharing group. Alternatively, the organiser might create a picture sharing group and promote it at the venue location, e.g. by displaying it in a billboard or by sending a message (e.g. paging or multicast) to all terminal devices 3 within a predefined area of the conceit venue.

Each user joining this picture sharing group take pictures using the camera in their terminal device and share the images with the other users via the social collage server 12.

Each shared image is then displayed in the same or a similar manner on each participating device's screen using the collage arrangement described above. Depending on the capabilities and screen type/onentation of the terminal device 3, the displayed collage might be dynamically modified to fit the screen in an optimised manner. The collage and/or the individual pictures of the collage might be enlarged by the users upon request, e.g. using the built-in zoom function provided by the operating system 41 of the terminal device 3. Thus, advantageously, in the event that many users are taking part in a social collage session, any participant can zoom into the social collage in order to view, and navigate between, the images provided by a subset of the participants.

Participating users might also be provided with a facility to vote on (or like' or favourite') each picture (e.g. by pressing an appropriate button on their device -e.g. an icon displayed over each picture of the collage). In this case, the picture that has been voted for (or liked' or favourited') the most, may be displayed in a more prominent way, e.g. displayed first / on top of the page, or shown over a relatively larger sub-area of the screen than other images. The more prominent display might take effect either on all screens in the picture sharing group or at least on the screen of the terminal device 3 on which a vote has been inputted. Such dynamic collage display will, in turn, encourage users to take better pictures and/or take pictures more often and/or add more interesting/descriptive comments on the events they are witnessing.

As soon as a new picture is available, the social collage server 12 obtains that picture from the terminal device 3 which has captured the image and distributes the picture (and any associated notes / votes) to all devices within the same picture sharing group. This will ensure that all recent pictures (and associated information) are displayed on the screen of all terminal devices 3 without delay and without the users having to manually refresh the screen of their terminal devices 3.

Usage scenario 2-same time, different place In the second exemplary scenario, members of a picture sharing group (or at least some of them) are not located at the same place. In this case, they are using this service to share information with each other about themselves in a convenient, near real-time manner. For example, the users (e.g. friends, colleagues, members of a common interest gioup, and the like) might wish to share with each other information about their current activities, their current location, or simply share a picture (e.g. of an object/event/location) with the other members of the picture sharing group.

As in the first scenario, pictures (and possibly comments) by several members of the given picture sharing group are shown on a single screen, displayed as a picture collage.

The picture sharing group might be created by the first member joining the group, although groups might be created automatically as well, e.g. based on a contact list or interest list, etc. Members thus join the picture sharing group either manually, or in an automated manner, for example, under the control of the pictuie sharing application on their terminal devices 3 (also taking into account any user preferences and/or privacy settings) or under the control of the social collage server 12. New members might join the gioup e.g. after receiving an invite from the creatoi of the given pictuie sharing gioup 01 they might biowse oi search for groups that are open for new membeis to join.

As in the previous exemplary scenario, each user joining a particular picture sharing group takes a picture using the camera provided on their terminal device 3 and shares the pictuie with the other users via the social collage server 12. Each one of the shared images (or a piedefined maximum number of images) is then displayed in a single scieen as part of a collage, on the terminal device 3 of each membei. Depending on the capabilities and screen type/orientation of a particular terminal device 3, the displayed collage might be dynamically modified to fit the screen in an optimised manner. Voting and commenting functionality niay also be provided for these images as described above.

As soon as a new picture is available, the social collage servei 12 obtains that picture from the terminal device 3 which has captured the image and distributes the picture (and any associated notes I votes) to all devices within the same picture sharing group. This will ensure that all iecent pictures (and associated information) aie displayed on the screen of all terminal devices 3 without delay and without the users having to manually refiesh the scieen of theft terminal devices 3.

Modifications and Alternatives Detailed embodiments have been described above. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a number of modifications and alternatives can be made to the above embodiments whilst still benefiting from the inventions embodied therein. By way of illustiation only a number of these alteinatives and modifications will now be described.

In the above examples, the layout of the screen area is common for all participating terminal devices. However, it will be appreciated that the layout may be individually configured by each user based on their preference or based on capabilities of their terminal devices. For example, a different layout might be used on screens arranged in a portrait orientation than on screens in a landscape orientation.

It will be appreciated that the social collage server could be provided outside the core network in any appropriate way, e.g. as part of the Internet or the access network.

Furtheimore, the functionalities of the social collage server could be provided as part of any other communication entity, e.g. as part of the base station, the mobility management entity, an entity forming part of the internet (e.g. an application server entity), or one of the terminal devices. Alternatively, the functionalities of the social collage server could be split between more than one of the above mentioned entities and devices.

In the above embodiments, the terminal devices connect to and receive pictures from a single social collage server. However, it will be appreciated that more than one social collage server may be provided. For example, each communication network may provide its own social collage server to serve subscribers of that network only. In this case, if members of a picture sharing group are not subscribers of the same network operator, each one of them receive shared pictures via their respective picture sharing entities.

In one particular example, pictures are shared between terminal devices without using any social collage server provide by the network operator(s). In this case, the terminal devices themselves could provide the functionalities of a social collage server as well.

In the above embodiments, the terminal devices aie shown as cellular telephones (smartphones) and/or laptop computers. It will be appreciated, however, that the above embodiments could be implemented using terminal devices other than mobile telephones such as, for example, personal digital assistants, web browsers, digital cameras, personal computers, etc. In the above embodiments, a number of software modules were described. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the software modules may be provided in compiled or un-compiled form and may be supplied to the base station, to the social collage server, or to the terminal device as a signal over a computer network, or on a recording medium.

Further, the functionality performed by part or all of this software may be performed using one or more dedicated hardware circuits. However, the use of software modules is preferred as it facilitates the updating of the social collage server 12, the base station 5 and the terminal devices 3 in order to update their functionalities.

Whilst it is particularly advantageous to be able to take pictures and have them instantaneously updated to the respective collages on each terminal device it will be appreciated that the social collage facility may allow users to select stored pictures to be updated to the respective collages on each terminal device.

Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail here.

Claims

Claims 1. A communication device comprising: means for receiving input from a user of said communication device: for defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display; and for identifying at least one other user from a contact list; means for communicating said defined configuration to a respective communication device of each said other user, and for communicating an invitation, to join a combined communication session, to the respective communication device of each said other user; means for receiving image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and means for displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from said memory and/or from imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.
2. The communication device according to claim 1 wherein said configuration comprises a template for defining a collage of images defined by said received image data, and said image data obtained from said memory and/or from imaging device.
3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said configuration is arranged to define an association between said respective locations and at least one of said users.
4. The communication device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said configuration is operable to define at least one of a respective size, a resolution, and an orientation for each of said plurality of different images.
5. The communication device according to any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising means for obtaining additional data associated with said obtained and/or received image data, the additional data comprising at least one of: information identifying a user who piovided said image data; information identifying a location associated with the image data; and an annotation, an artwork, a tag, a rating, and/or a timestamp associated with the image data.
6. The communication device according to claim 5 wherein said displaying means is operable to display at least some of said obtained additional data along with said obtained and/or received image data that said obtained additional data is associated with.
7. The communication device according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein said means for obtaining said image data is operable to obtain said image data from a non-volatile memory.
8. The communication device accoiding to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said input receiving means is opeiable to receive an input foi associating any of said different respective specified locations with at least one of said users.
9. The communication device according to any of claims 1 to B further operable: to obtain subsequent image data from said imaging device, to communicate said obtained subsequent image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined conimunication session, and to replace previously displayed image data associated with the user who provided said subsequent image data.
10. The communication device according to any of claims 1 to 9 further operable to receive subsequent image data from said at least one othei user as part of said combined communication session, and to replace previously displayed image data associated with the user who provided said subsequent image data.
11. A communication device comprising: means for receiving information defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and an invitation to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; means for leceiving input from a user of said communication device foi accepting oi rejecting said invitation; means for receiving image data from a respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; and means for displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory and/or from said imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.
12. The communication device according to claim 11 wherein said configuration comprises a template for defining a collage of images defined by said received image data, and said image data obtained from said imaging device.
13. The communication device according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said configuration is arranged to define an association between said respective locations and each of said plurality of users.
14. The communication device according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein said configuration is operable to define at least one of a respective size, a resolution, and an orientation for each of said plurality of different images.
15. The communication device according to any of claims 11 to 14 further comprising means for obtaining additional data associated with said obtained and/or received image data, the additional data comprising at least one of: information identifying a user who provided said image data; information identifying a location associated with the image data; and an annotation, an artwork, a tag, a rating, and/or a timestamp associated with the image data.
16. The communication device according to claim 15 wherein said displaying means is operable to display at least some of said obtained additional data along with said obtained and/or received image data that said obtained additional data is associated with.
17. The communication device according to any of claims 11 to 16 wherein said means for obtaining said image data is operable to obtain said image data from a non-volatile memory.
18. The communication device according to any of claims 11 to 17 further operable: to obtain subsequent image data from said imaging device, to communicate said obtained subsequent image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session, and to replace previously displayed image data associated with the user who provided said subsequent image data.
19. The communication device according to any of claims 11 to 18 further operable to receive subsequent image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session, and to replace previously displayed image data associated with the user who provided said subsequent image data.
20. The communication device according to any previous claim comprising at least one of a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, and user equipment operating in accordance with the long term evolution, LIE, standards.
21. A communication entity for facilitating a combined communication session between users of a plurality of communication devices, the communication entity comprising: means for receiving, from a first communication device associated with a first one of said plurality of users, information identifying a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a respective display of each of said plurality of communication devices, and an invitation for another one of said users to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; means for communicating information identifying said configuration and said invitation to a communication device associated with said another one of said users; means for receiving, from said communication device associated with said another one of said users, an indication of acceptance or rejection of said invitation and for facilitating the joining of said communication device associated with said another one of said users, to said combined communication session, in the event of acceptance; means for receiving image data from at least one communication device taking part in said combined communication session; and means for distributing said received image data to each communication device taking part in said combined communication session other than the communication device from which said image data has been received.
22. The communication entity according to claim 21 wherein said means for identifying said combined communication session comprises means for maintaining a list of users of said plurality of communication devices that are involved in said combined communication session.
23. The communication entity according to claim 22 wherein said maintaining means comprises means for adding to said list any user associated with a communication device, from which said communication receiving means has received an indication of acceptance in relation to said combined communication session.
24. The communication entity according to claim 22 or 23 comprising at least one of: a social collage server, a base station, a mobility management entity, and user equipment.
25. A communication system for facilitating a combined communication session between users of a plurality of communication devices, the communication system comprising: a first communication device comprising: means for receiving input from a user of said communication device: for defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display; and for identifying at least one other user from a contact list; means for communicating said defined configuration to a respective communication device of each said other user, and for communicating an invitation, to join a combined communication session, to the respective communication device of each said other user; means for receiving image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device of said first communication device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as pad of said combined communication session; and means for displaying, at said first communication device, said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory and/or from said imaging device of said first communication device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users; a second communication device comprising: means for receiving information defining said configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and said invitation to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; means for receiving input from a user of said second communication device for accepting or rejecting said invitation; means for receiving image data from a respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; means for obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device of said second communication device and for communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device associated with each other user partaking in said combined communication session; and means for displaying, at said second communication device, said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory and/or from said imaging device of said second communication device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users; and a communication entity configured for facilitating communication between said first and second communication devices.
26. A method performed by a communication device, the method comprising: receiving input from a user of said communication device: for defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display; and for identifying at least one other user from a contact list; communicating said defined configuration to a respective communication device of each said other user, and communicating an invitation, to join a combined communication session, to the respective communication device of each said other user; if said at least one other user has joined said combined communication session, then receiving image data from said at least one other user as part of said combined communication session; obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory / imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.
27. A method performed by a communication device, the method comprising: receiving information defining a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a display, and an invitation to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; receiving input from a user of said communication device for accepting said invitation; receiving image data from at least one communication device respectively associated with at least one user of said plurality users as part of said combined communication session; obtaining image data from memory and/or from an imaging device and communicating said obtained image data to said respective communication device of each said other user as part of said combined communication session; and displaying said received image data, and said image data obtained from memory / imaging device, at different respective specified locations of said defined display configuration, each respective specified location being associated with a different one of said users.
28. A method performed by a communication entity for facilitating a combined communication session between users of a plurality of communication devices, the method comprising: receiving, from a first communication device associated with a first one of said plurality of users, information identifying a configuration for displaying a plurality of different images concurrently at different respective locations on a respective display of each of said plurality of communication devices, and an invitation for another one of said users to join a combined communication session involving a plurality of users; communicating information identifying said configuration and said invitation to a communication device associated with said another one of said users; receiving, from said communication device associated with said another one of said users, an indication of acceptance or rejection of said invitation and facilitating the joining of said communication device associated with said another one of said users, to said combined communication session, in the event of acceptance; receiving image data from at least one communication device of a user taking part in said combined communication session; and distributing said received image data to each communication device taking part in said combined communication session other than the communication device of the user that has provided said received image.
29. A computer product comprising computer implementable instructions for performing a method according to any of claims 26 to 28.