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).

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for displaying, combining and managing digital images, said method comprising the steps of:
 configuring a first mobile device with a computer program that enables said first mobile device to display, combine and manage at least one digital image and to transmit said displayed, combined and managed version of said digital image as well as digital instructions that are suitable for use by a host executing platform for further processing of said digital image;   receiving on a host executing platform said displayed, combined and managed version of said digital image and said digital instructions that are transmitted from said first mobile device;   executing a computer program on said host executing platform in accordance with said digital instructions from said first mobile device to configure said host executing platform to support displaying, combining and managing said digital image that is transmitted from said first mobile device;   configuring second mobile device with a computer program that enables said second mobile device access to digital content on said host executing platform to display, combine and manage digital content of said host executing platform wherein said access of said second mobile device to a first portion of said digital content on said host executing platform is conditioned on confirmation to said host executing platform of payment for access by said second mobile device and wherein access of said second mobile device to a second portion of said digital content on said host executing platform is not conditioned on said confirmation to said host executing platform of payment for access by said second mobile device; and   transmitting said first portion of digital content from said host executing platform to a digital address and also transmitting said second portion of digital content from said host executing platform to a digital address.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said at least one digital image on said first mobile device is displayed, combined and managed in combination with at least one of text, audio and another digital image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein displaying, combining and managing at least a portion of said digital content on said host executing platform is conditioned on confirmation of payment for said access by said second mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the displaying, combining and managing at least a portion of said digital content on said host executing platform is enabled according to the value of said payment for access by said second mobile device. 
     
     
         6 . A method for configuring a first mobile device and a host executing platform to support displaying, combining and managing a digital image, said method comprising the steps of:
 transmitting computer software to a first mobile device, said computer software cooperating with said first mobile device to configure said first mobile device to display, combine and manage a digital image;   displaying, combining and managing a digital image on said first mobile device;   transmitting from said first mobile device to a host executing platform, digital instructions suitable for use by a host executing platform and also transmitting from said first mobile device to a host executing platform, at least one digital image that has been displayed, combined and managed by said first mobile device, said digital instructions cooperating with said host executing platform to configure said host executing platform to support combining and managing a digital image that is transmitted from said first mobile device;   confirming to said host executing platform payment for access to digital content on said host executing platform from a second mobile device that corresponds to a user profile;   enabling access from said second mobile device to at least a part of said digital content on said host executing platform upon confirming receipt of said payment.   displaying, combining and managing on said second mobile device digital content that is transmitted from said host executing platform to said second mobile device through said enabled electronic access.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein at least part of the said digital image that is displayed, combined and managed on said first mobile device is combined with at least one of text, audio and another digital image. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said digital content that is transmitted from said host executing platform to said second mobile device is displayed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said digital content that is transmitted from said host executing platform to said second mobile device is transmitted to a digital address for at least one of display and publication. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said transmitted first portion of digital content is published and wherein said transmitted second portion of digital content is published. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for displaying, managing and combining digital images, said apparatus comprising:
 a first mobile device that is configured to display, manage and combine at least one digital image and to transmit an edited, combined and managed version of said digital image as well as digital instructions that are suitable for use by a host executing platform for further processing of said at least one digital image;   a host executing platform that is capable of receiving said displayed, managed and combined version of said digital image and said digital instructions that are transmitted from said first mobile device, said host executing platform executing said digital instructions to configure said host executing platform to enable display, combination and management of said version of said digital image that is received from said first mobile device;   a second mobile device that is configured to communicate with said host executing platform, said second mobile device being enabled to access digital content on said host executing platform and to display, manage and combine said digital content received from said host executing platform, said access from said second mobile device to at least a part of said digital content on said host executing platform being conditioned on confirmation to said host executing platform of payment for access from said second mobile device, said host executing platform being further configured to transmit the digital content that is accessed by said second mobile device to a digital address.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said first mobile device displays manages and combines said at least one digital image in combination with at least one of text, audio and another digital image. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said host executing platform is configured to enable the display, management and combination of digital images that are saved on said host executing platform in combination with at least one of text, audio and another digital image. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein digital content that is transmitted to said digital address is published. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein access from said second mobile device to at least a portion of said digital content that is managed and combined on said host executing platform is conditioned on said confirmation of payment for access by said second mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the portion of the digital content on said host executing platform that is accessed from said second mobile device varies according to the value of said payment for access by said second mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said at least one mobile image on said first mobile device comprises a story of digital images and wherein one or more digital images can be repeatedly added to said story after said story is first established. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said value of said payment is based on access to said digital content for a set period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said value of said payment is based on continuing access to said story of digital images, including digital images are subsequently added to said story. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said payment based on continuing access to said story of digital images is made on a continuing, periodic basis.