Apparatus for Capturing, Converting and Transmitting a Visual Image Signal Via a Digital Transmission System

Abstract

An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. In its most comprehensive form, the system is capable of sending and receiving audio, documentary and visual image data to and from standard remote stations readily available throughout the world.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . A wireless mobile handset comprising:
 a wireless mobile handset housing;   an imaging device supported by the housing, the imaging device including a lens supported by the housing, the imaging device being adapted to receive an image from the lens, the imaging device being adapted to provide image data in digital format;   a display supported by the housing, the display being adapted to display an image for viewing by the user, the image being provided from the image data in digital format;   a processor and memory supported by the housing for processing the image data in digital format;   a user interface supported by the housing, the user interface enabling the user to transmit selected image data, the user interface enabling the user to place an audio telephone call communication;   a wireless communications handset supported by the housing, the wireless communications handset including a wireless transceiver adapted for communication with a communication system, the wireless transceiver being adapted for sending and receiving wireless transmissions to a wireless receiver of the communication system, the wireless transmissions providing to the communication system at least one of the selected image data and the audio telephone call communication.   
   
   
       44 . A wireless mobile handset according to claim  1  and further comprising:
 the display being adapted to display an image for viewing by the user before image data of the corresponding image is stored in memory.   
   
   
       45 . A wireless mobile handset according to claim  1  and further comprising:
 the display being a viewfinder display.   
   
   
       46 . A wireless mobile handset according to claim  1  and further comprising:
 the display being adapted to display for viewing by the user alphanumeric messages input via the user interface.   
   
   
       47 . A wireless mobile handset according to claim  1  and further comprising:
 the display being adapted to display for viewing by the user image data received from the wireless transceiver.