U.S. patent application number 09/800157 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-26 for system and method for communication of digital images generated from photographic film.
Invention is credited to Bussey, Howard E., Manico, Joseph A., Mehra, Madhav, Willand, Craig S..
Application Number | 20010009454 09/800157 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22795401 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010009454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manico, Joseph A. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2001 |
System and method for communication of digital images generated
from photographic film
Abstract
A photographic system includes a photographic film having a
unique identification code thereon. An identification tag is
included with the photographic film; the identification tag bears a
uniform resource locator that includes the unique identification
code, and an associated password. The film is scanned after
processing to generate a digital image and the unique
identification code is associated with the digital image and stored
in a digital storage device. A web server connected to the digital
image storage device includes a resource identified by the uniform
resource locator for accessing the digital image. A database
accessible by the web server contains the unique identification
code and the associated password wherein the resource is password
protected and accessible by use of the password.
Inventors: |
Manico, Joseph A.;
(Rochester, NY) ; Willand, Craig S.; (Pittsford,
NY) ; Mehra, Madhav; (Rochester, NY) ; Bussey,
Howard E.; (Pittsford, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas H. Close
Patent Legal Staff
Eastman Kodak Company
343 State Street
Rochester
NY
14650-2201
US
|
Family ID: |
22795401 |
Appl. No.: |
09/800157 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09800157 |
Mar 6, 2001 |
|
|
|
09213517 |
Dec 17, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
355/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00132 20130101;
H04N 1/444 20130101; H04N 1/4413 20130101; H04N 1/00135 20130101;
H04N 1/00151 20130101; H04N 2201/3226 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
355/41 |
International
Class: |
G03B 027/52 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A photographic system, comprising: a) a photographic film having
a unique identification code thereon; b) an identification tag
included with the photographic film, the identification tag bearing
a uniform resource locator that includes the unique identification
code, and an associated password; c) a scanner for scanning the
film after processing to generate a digital image; d) means for
associating the unique identification code with the digital image;
e) a digital image storage device for storing the digital image; f)
a web server connected to the digital image storage device, having
means for accessing the digital image using the uniform resource
locator; g) a database accessible by the web server having stored
therein the unique identification code and the associated password;
and h) wherein the means for accessing the digital image is
password protected and accessible by use of the password.
2. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is
in a one-time-use camera.
3. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the
identification tag is removably attached to packaging associated
with the film.
4. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is
contained in a cassette and the cassette also bears the unique
identification code.
5. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanner
includes means for automatically reading the unique identification
code on the film.
6. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the film
includes a magnetic layer and the unique identification code is
stored in the magnetic layer.
7. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the unique
identification code is exposed on the film as a latent image.
8. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the unique
identification code is both human and machine readable.
9. The photographic system claimed in claim 4, wherein the cassette
includes an integrated circuit and the unique identification code
is stored in the integrated circuit.
10. A method of delivering photographic services comprising the
steps of: a) providing a photographic film having a unique
identification code thereon; b) providing an identification tag
included with the photographic film, the identification tag bearing
a uniform resource locator (URL) that includes the unique
identification code, and an associated password; c) exposing and
processing the film d) scanning the film after processing to
generate a digital image; e) associating the unique identification
code with the digital image; f) storing the digital image in a
password protected URL access account accessible by using the URL
and the password; and g) accessing the digital images in the URL
access account via the Internet using the URL and the password.
11. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the film is in a
one-time-use camera.
12. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the identification tag
is removably attached to packaging associated with the film.
13. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the film is contained
in a cassette and the cassette also bears the unique identification
code.
14. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the scanner includes
means for automatically reading the unique identification code on
the film.
15. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the film includes a
magnetic layer and the unique identification code is stored in the
magnetic layer.
16. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the unique
identification code is exposed on the film as a latent image.
17. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the unique
identification code is both human and machine readable.
18. The method claimed in claim 13, wherein the cassette includes
an integrated circuit and the unique identification code is stored
in the integrated circuit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/213,517
filed Dec. 17, 1998 by Joseph Manico et al.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of photography, and in
particular to communication of digital photographic images to a
remote destination after processing of photographic film and for
communicating with a customer of a file processing service for
picture previewing and selection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a traditional photofinishing operation, a customer brings
in his/her film to be processed and printed. Several steps are
necessarily taken by the customer to actually receive his/her
finished prints where some of these steps are tedious, time
consuming, and otherwise inconvenient. With the advent of networked
processors it has become possible to enter a customer's home via
the networked computer to permit a degree of interfacing with a
film processing service provider. One such provider is Eastman
Kodak Company which offers a service called PhotoNet. A customer
provides the photoprocessing service with a source of developed
pictures that are scanned and stored for access via the Internet.
Access to the customer's file may be selectively granted to others
having a networked computer, for example, relatives and friends for
viewing and downloading.
[0004] Currently available photographic 240IX film (Advanced Photo
System) allows the recording of auxiliary information on a magnetic
layer on the film. It has been suggested to provide a system that
permits the customer to record his/her electronic address on the
film such that a film processor could almost instantly make
available for viewing a digitized version of the images that have
been developed from the customer's film and to additionally permit
the customer to communicate print ordering instructions to the film
processor which prints can be either picked up at a later
convenient time or delivered by conventional means.
[0005] A problem with these approaches is that if a photographer
does not have a personal Internet account or e-mail address, this
type of service is not available to her. Another problem with this
suggested approach is that there is no way for a customer to
proactively determine the status of their order. The first
possibility that they have to communicate with the system is when
they receive an e-mail notice that they have pictures waiting.
Another problem is that traditional e-mail is not a secure
communication process. Anyone who sees the e-mail message to the
customer can gain access to the images. It is well known that
e-mail addresses are prone to transcription errors resulting in
delivery to an unintended party or not delivered at all. A still
further problem is that if a persons e-mail address changes after
submitting the order and before receiving the message from the
service provider, access to the images may be frustrated.
Basically, there is no guarantee that e-mail will reach its
intended recipient.
[0006] There is a need therefore for an improved system and method
of distributing digital images generated from photographic
film.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The shortcomings noted above are overcome according to the
present invention by providing a photographic system and method
that includes a photographic film having a unique identification
code thereon. An identification tag is included with the
photographic film. The identification tag bears a uniform resource
locator that includes the unique identification code, and an
associated password. The film is scanned after processing to
generate a digital image and the unique identification code is
associated with the digital image and stored in a digital storage
device. A web server connected to the digital image storage device
includes a resource identified by the uniform resource locator for
accessing the digital image. A database accessible by the web
server contains the unique identification code and the associated
password wherein the resource is password protected and accessible
by use of the password.
ADVANTAGES
[0008] The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a
system that is more secure than the current systems. It allows
photographers without their own Internet account, or e-mail address
to use the service at a public facility, such as a public library,
publicly accessible terminal, or computer kiosk, or use of a
friend's or associate's computer. The URL and Password and database
to link film ID with passwords are assigned by the manufacturer of
the film. The scanner/code reader automatically assigns URL's and
uses the manufacturer provided database to verify passwords. There
is also a security benefit of having the film manufacturer provide
the user the only hardcopy of the URL address and password.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a "One Time Use Camera"
(OTUC),
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of a film cassette with human and
machine readable unique ID code;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of a pre-paid processing mailing
envelope with a detachable receipt encoded with a human readable
unique ID, matched to the film cassette, and including a
password;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of a processed film strip;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a single image frame
from a processed film strip;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting the sequence of operation
for one embodiment of the method of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting a system architecture of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, one-time use camera (OTUC) 10 useful
with the present invention is shown. The OTUC 10 includes a shutter
release button 20, a viewfinder 30, lens 40, electronic flash 50,
electronic flash "on" switch 60, and film advance mechanism 65.
Referring to FIG. 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the OTUC 10 contains a film cartridge 70,
imprinted with a human readable unique film ID number 90, a
corresponding machine readable film ID number 100 and an unexposed
film strip 80. The film cartridge can be a 35 mm film cartridge or
an 240IX Advanced Photo System (Advantix) type film cartridge. The
machine readable film ID number 100 can be an optically readable
bar code on the film cartridge 70 as shown. In addition an optical
code can be recorded on the film, or in the case of the Advantix
type film, magnetically recorded on a magnetic recording layer on
the film.
[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, the film cassette 70 is provided with the aforementioned
features for use with the user's traditional, reloadable
camera.
[0018] According to a further alternative embodiment, the unique ID
number is stored in a non-volatile memory in an integrated circuit
chip that is attached to the film cassette. The chip is provided
with external contacts that enable the chip to be read by a
machine, in the same way as the chips used in smart credit
cards.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the system of the present invention
employs a pre-paid processing envelope (mailer) 110 that is sold in
combination with the OTUC or roll of film. The mailer 110 has a
tear off tab 120, imprinted with a unique Uniform Resource Location
(URL) address 130 and a password 140. The film ID number is part
of, or a reference to the URL address that will be used to acquire
the images via the Internet as described below. Prepaid mailer 110
is also imprinted with a mailing address 150 of a film processing
laboratory. For security purposes, the password is included only on
the tear off receipt and in a database provided to the film
processing laboratory by the film manufacturer. The prepaid mailer
110 may also have an area 155 for the user to write an e-mail
address if e-mail notification or e-mail delivery of the resulting
images is also desired.
[0020] Alternatively, a receipt in the form of a ticket, card, or
removable label imprinted with the URL and password information may
be provided with the film or OTUC instead of a pre-paid mailer.
This would be used in conjunction with an affiliated retailer that
would forward the film to a photofinishing lab that provides the
service or the retailer may perform the service in house if the
retailer is an affiliated photofinisher. This is the current
procedure in the photographic industry for providing specialty
photofinishing services. Photofinishing labs that offer
"ColorWatch" photo service guarantee to the user that Kodak
manufactured paper and chemistry, and Kodak approved photofinishing
procedures are observed. For the user to obtain "ColorWatch"
photofinishing he/she must locate a retailer that provides this
service.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a processed film strip 160 and FIG. 5 shows a
close up view of a section 170 of processed film strip 160. As
shown in FIG. 5, the processed film strip includes the human
readable unique ID code 180 and a machine readable bar-coded unique
film ID code 190. For each image 200, the film may also include an
eye readable film frame number 210, and a machine readable frame
number 220. Alternatively, the machine readable unique ID code 190
may be magnetically encoded on a transparent magnetic layer on the
film strip.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, the steps employed in using the system
of the present invention will be described. First, in step 240, the
user purchases a OTUC loaded with film or a 35 mm or 240IX film
cassette encoded with a unique ID code for use in a conventional
camera; a pre-paid mailer with a tear off receipt imprinted with a
unique URL address that includes the code on the film and a
password associated with the unique code. Next, in step 250, the
user takes photographs with the OTUC or conventional camera in the
normal manner. When the exposures are complete at step 260, the
user removes the tear off receipt, inserts the OTUC or film roll
into the pre-paid mailer and mails it to the photofinisher.
Alternatively, the user may go directly to a retail affiliated
photofinishing provider that offers this service and request the
service. At step 270 the photofinisher reads the code from the
mailer and logs the code into the photofinisher's order processing
system. Optionally, the photofinisher records the photographer's
home address from the mailer. At step 280 the photofinisher reads
the unique code printed on the film cartridge and records the code
number at the film spooler or film processor prep station and
communicates the code number to the photofinisher's order
processing system. At step 290 the film is processed and scanned by
the photofinisher and the unique code number is read by the scanner
and sent to the photofinisher's order processing station.
[0023] The code on the mailer is used to link the user's name and
address to the film ID number. The film and mailer are transferred
to an "order bag" used to transport the mailer, film, and resulting
print and/or other image products through the photofinishing lab.
The code on the cassette is used to link the "twin check" number
assigned to the film to the photofinishing order bag. The code on
the film strip is used once the film has been processed by the
scanner to automatically assign the URL. With magnetically encoded
film, the film does not have to be processed for the magnetic code
to be readable.
[0024] At step 300 the magnetically encoded and/or bar-coded film
ID number is read and the scanned images are automatically stored
in the photofinisher's computer in a password protected URL access
account with the film ID number designation. The digital images are
accessible via the Internet, and the password associated with the
URL is obtained from a secure database provided by the film
manufacturer.
[0025] At step 310 a few days (or hours if a retail provider with
in house processing, scanning, and digital transmission
capabilities is used) may have elapsed before the user uses his
computer and Internet browser to access his/her images from any
computer having access to the world wide web using the unique URL
and the security code that was provided on the tear off tab. At
step 320 the images are sent to the user's computer and the user
views the images. At step 330 using applets provided by the
photofinisher, the user may now download, manipulate, store and/or
print images using any viewing or printing equipment available at
the viewing site. At step 340 the user may optionally submit a
credit card number and purchase additional prints or image products
and have them sent to any address indicated by the user.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, the system architecture of the present
invention also includes a photofinisher 350 to process the film
delivered 400 to the photofinisher 350, scan the processed images
to generate digital images, read the film ID code from the mailer,
the film cartridge, or from the processed film, and associate the
film ID code with the digital images. The system also includes an
Internet service provider 440 that manages a web server 450, and
includes an image storage file 470 and a database 480 containing
film ID codes and associated passwords retrievable with the unique
URL. The web service provider may also provide resources 460 via
Java (or equivalent) applications, such as "KIA's Power Goo", Adobe
Photoshop, a Cartoon Algorithm, a Coloring Book Algorithm, Zoom,
Crop, Rotate, Email, Album Page, Post Card, etc. These resources
are not be down-loadable and work only with the images located in
the image storage file 470.
[0027] The photofinishing center 350 includes an order entry
station 360 for reading the ID code from the mailer 110 or the film
cartridge 70 and inputting any customer instructions prior to film
development. The photofinishing center 350 includes a film
processor 370 wherein the film is developed in the known manner.
Several of the stations are provided with a network connection 410,
420 to the centralized service provider 440. If the film contains a
magnetic stripe with the unique ID code, the developed film from
the film processor 370 is forwarded to a magnetic stripe reader 380
which reads the unique ID from the processed film strip. After
reading the unique ID code, the developed film is forwarded to a
photo imaging workstation (PIW) 390 for example one of the several
PhotoCD PIWs manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company for writing
PhotoCD discs and making index prints. The PIW 390 is used to scan
the developed film strip to generate digital images and to
transform the digital images into a hierarchical digital format.
The digital images are transferred 430 to an image storage 470. As
part of that process a digital index file of low resolution digital
prints is formed representing all of the scanned images appearing
on the developed filmstrip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,227 issued Feb. 2,
1993 to Foley discloses a system that scans a film strip and forms
a digital index print which contains a plurality of images
corresponding to the images on the film strip. The digital index
print at that point may be forwarded to a photographic printer (not
shown) for hard copy generation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,152 issued
Mar. 21, 1995 to Manico et al. discloses a similar system for
quickly scanning a film strip, digitizing the images scanned, and
forming a digital index print file that is optically printed as a
low resolution representation of the images appearing on the film
strip.
[0028] If the film contains a magnetic stripe, the magnetic stripe
reader 380 senses the existence of a unique ID on a strip of film
which indicates that the customer wants to preview the images on
the film strip prior to having hard copy prints made. Upon sensing
the unique ID code, the film strip is forwarded to the PIW 390 for
scanning (conversion to a digital form). The digital file,
representing the images on the film strip and including the digital
index file, along with the associated unique ID code is forwarded
to the central service provider 440 for storage in a large scale,
long term image storage memory 470. If the film processor 370 does
not sense the unique ID code, either on the film itself, or on a
magnetic layer on the film, the digital file is forwarded, in the
normal manner, to the photographic printer (not shown) for the
printing of hard copy prints.
[0029] Upon receipt of the digital file, the service provider makes
the file available at the URL address associated with the unique ID
code under the protection of the password. The file can then be
accessed by the customer from any terminal having access to the
world wide web. The customer can access the communication channel
510 for example via public access terminals 550 such as may be
found in a public library 540, or other public building. Access is
also available via customer-operated kiosks 520 having a CPU 530
placed at retail locations.
[0030] If the customer has also provided an e-mail address on the
mailer 110, the service provider 440 may send an e-mail message to
the customer on the world wide web communication channel 510
indicating that the images are ready for viewing. The customer, at
a convenient time, can then access the communication channel 510 to
view the digital file on the monitor of the customers home computer
500 located in customer's home 490.
[0031] The customer may electronically order prints of the digital
images directly from any point of access 500, 520, 550 to the
communication channel 510 using the appropriate software. The
packaged order is then delivered to the address supplied by the
customer using any convenient form of shipment. The customer may
authorize anyone else to view the files and order prints merely by
sharing the URL and the password.
[0032] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
1 10 One Time Use Camera (OTUC) 20 Shutter release button 30
Viewfinder 40 Lens 50 Electronic Flash 60 Flash charging switch 70
Film cassette 80 Film strip 90 Eye readable film ID code 100
Machine readable ID code 110 Pre-paid film/OTUC mailer 120 Tear off
receipt with URL address and password 130 URL address 140 Password
150 Photofinisher mailing address 160 Processed film strip 170
Section of processed film strip 180 Eye readable film ID code 190
Machine readable ID code 200 Image 210 Eye readable film frame
number 220 Machine readable frame number 240 User purchases
film/OTUC step 250 User takes photographs 260 User sends film to
photofinisher step 270 Photofinisher receives film step 280 ID
number recorded from cassette step 290 Film processed, scanned, and
ID number recorded step 300 Digital image files stored and tagged
with ID number step 310 User accesses images via Internet and
receipt URL and password step 320 Images viewable to user step 330
User manipulates images step 340 User optionally orders image
products step 350 Photofinisher 360 ID read from cassette 370
Process film 380 ID from processed film strip 390 Film scanning 400
Film delivery 410 ID data transfer from cassette to database 420 ID
data transfer from film strip to database 430 Digital image
transfer from scanner to storage device 440 Service provider 450
Web server 460 Resources 470 Image storage 480 ID/Password database
490 User's home 500 Personal computer CPU 510 Communication channel
520 Kiosk 530 Kiosk CPU 540 Public building 550 Public CPU
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