System for publishing digital images

Abstract

A system for publishing digital images wherein a mobile device ( 14 ) that stores at least one digital image generates output signals in response to operator commands. The mobile device ( 14 ) communicates with a source of digital instructions ( 18 ) thorough a communication network ( 16 ) such that digital instructions are downloaded to the mobile device. The mobile device is thereafter in selective communication with a server ( 12 ) that stores digital images, maintains a user profile corresponding to the user of the mobile device, and publishes digital images to at least one digital address ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ).

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for managing digital images, said system comprising:
 at least two mobile devices, each of said mobile devices generating output signals in response to operator commands and capable of storing at least one digital image;   a communication network that is in selective communication with said at least two mobile devices;   a source for digital instructions that are downloaded to a respective one of said mobile devices through said communication network in response to operator command signals to the respective one of said mobile devices, said downloaded digital instructions being installed in said respective mobile device and cooperating with said respective mobile device to manage digital images that are stored on the mobile device in response to operator commands to the mobile device, said downloaded digital instructions also cooperating with said respective mobile device in combination with payment confirmation to restrict availability of user access to view and publish digital images; and   a server that stores digital images and that is in selective communication with said at least two mobile devices through said communication network, said server having a set of user profiles and also being responsive to input signals to said server through said communication network from at least one of said mobile devices, said server cooperating with one of said mobile devices to create, edit and publish stories that include at least one image, said server cooperating with one of said mobile devices to condition access to digital content of all or part of said stories in response to payment confirmation;   wherein said images from said mobile device are sourced from a camera on the mobile device;   wherein said digital instructions that are downloaded on said mobile device include an image viewer that manages camera optimization of the mobile device according to the implied preferences of the user of the mobile device;   wherein said downloaded digital instructions enable command signals to said mobile device to cause said server to search for at least one of: digital images, users of other mobile devices; and   wherein said search is based on selected search criteria that includes the geographical location of mobile devices that are included in the system, and wherein said images that are published to said at least one digital address are selected in accordance with the geographical location of the mobile device.