U.S. patent application number 11/081131 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for method for providing customized photo products using images transmitted from a digital camera.
Invention is credited to Parulski, Kenneth A..
Application Number | 20050182649 11/081131 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24303759 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050182649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parulski, Kenneth A. |
August 18, 2005 |
Method for providing customized photo products using images
transmitted from a digital camera
Abstract
A method for providing customized photo services by a service
provider using images transmitted from a digital camera to the
service provider. The service provider provides photo services
after a user service account containing data identifying a photo
service.
Inventors: |
Parulski, Kenneth A.;
(Rochester, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pamela R. Crocker
Patent Legal Staff
Eastman Kodak Company
343 State Street
Rochester
NY
14650-2201
US
|
Family ID: |
24303759 |
Appl. No.: |
11/081131 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11081131 |
Mar 16, 2005 |
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09576288 |
May 23, 2000 |
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6915273 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/32 20130101; G06Q
30/0601 20130101; H04N 1/00188 20130101; H04N 1/00196 20130101;
H04N 1/00145 20130101; H04N 1/00167 20130101; G06Q 30/0621
20130101; H04N 1/00132 20130101; H04N 1/00177 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/001 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
1. A method for providing customized photo services by a service
provider, using images transmitted from a digital camera to the
service provider, comprising: a) a service provider providing a
menu identifying a plurality of different photo services that can
be selected by a user; b) the service provider establishing a user
service account containing data identifying a photo service
selected by the user from the menu; c) storing, in the digital
camera, a service account identifier which can be transmitted from
the camera to the service provider in order to identify the user
service account; d) the service provider communicating with a modem
in the digital camera and receiving the service account identifier
and a plurality of digital images captured using the digital
camera; e) the service provider using the service account
identifier to identify the user service account, f) the service
provider reading the identified user service account and data
identifying the photo service selected by the user from the menu,
and; g) the service provider providing the photo service previously
selected by the user from the menu, using the plurality of digital
images received from the digital camera.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the modem transmits the plurality
of digital images over a network to the service provider.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the network is the Internet.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein service account identifier is
stored in firmware memory in the digital camera
5. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of digital
images is stored in an image file and the service account
identifier is also stored in such image file.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider also
receives, from the digital camera, a utilization file.
7. The method of claim 6 where the utilization file identifies
transferred digital images to be printed.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account further
includes an address of a designated recipient.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected photo service
provides prints of the plurality of digital images.
10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of delivering
the prints to indicated locations of one or more designated
recipients.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of different
photo services provides album pages.
12. The method of claim 11 further including providing the album
pages in different layout formats.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of different photo
services includes a plurality of different size prints.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account includes
a payment identifier that specified the account to be charged for
services.
15. A method for providing customized photo services by a imaging
service provider, using images transmitted by a digital
communications network provider from a digital camera, comprising:
a) an imaging service provider providing a menu identifying a
plurality of different photo services that can be selected by a
user; b) the imaging service provider establishing a user service
account containing data identifying a photo service selected by the
user from the menu; c) storing, in the digital camera, a service
account identifier which can be transmitted from the camera through
the digital communications network to the imaging service provider
in order to identify the user service account; d) the imaging
service provider communicating via the digital communications
network with a modem in the digital camera and receiving the
service account identifier and a plurality of digital images
captured using the digital camera; e) the imaging service provider
using the service account identifier to identify the user service
account, f) the imaging service provider reading the identified
user service account and data identifying the photo service
selected by the user from the menu, and; g) the imaging service
provider providing the photo service previously selected by the
user from the menu, using the plurality of digital images received
from the digital camera.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of digital
images is stored in an image file and the service account
identifier is also stored in such image file.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the service provider also
receives, from the digital camera, a utilization file identifying
transferred digital images to be printed.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account further
includes an address of a designated recipient.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected photo service
provides prints of the plurality of digital images.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account includes
a payment identifier that specified the account to be charged for
services.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/576,288
filed May 23, 2000. Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/534,469, filed Mar. 24, 2000,
entitled "Configuring and Purchasing Imaging Devices" to Kenneth A.
Parulski.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to customizing photo products
incorporating images and, more particularly, to using the Internet
or other electronic network for providing customized photo
products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Digital images, from digital cameras or scanned photographic
film, can be uploaded to a web site for viewing, as described in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,215 to Fredlund, et al. Using
a web browser, a group of these digital images can be viewed and
selected for printing, for example using the Kodak Photonet
Service. The user can select the size of each print to be produced,
and the quantity of prints to be made from each image.
[0004] Album pages can be produced from digital images by arranging
numerous images on the same page, as described in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,061 to Manico, et al. These album pages can be
customized in terms of the size and arrangement of images on the
page, the size and finish of the album pages, and the background
color or patterns used.
[0005] Some web sites, such as the site provided by OFOTO at
www.ofoto.com, enable a user to upload a group of digital images
for sharing with others over the internet and for providing digital
printing services. This site permits a user to obtain an account
using their e-mail address as the account name, and to provide a
password and address information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for providing customized photo services by a service provider,
using images transmitted from a digital camera to the service
provider, comprising:
[0007] a) a service provider providing a menu identifying a
plurality of different photo services that can be selected by a
user;
[0008] b) the service provider establishing a user service account
containing data identifying a photo service selected by the user
from the menu;
[0009] c) storing, in the digital camera, a service account
identifier which can be transmitted from the camera to the service
provider in order to identify the user service account;
[0010] d) the service provider communicating with a modem in the
digital camera and receiving the service account identifier and a
plurality of digital images captured using the digital camera;
[0011] e) the service provider using the service account identifier
to identify the user service account,
[0012] f) the service provider reading the identified user service
account and data identifying the photo service selected by the user
from the menu, and;
[0013] g) the service provider providing the photo service
previously selected by the user from the menu, using the plurality
of digital images received from the digital camera.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention for providing
customized photo services by an imaging service provider, using
images transmitted by a digital communications network provider
from a digital camera, comprising:
[0015] a) an imaging service provider providing a menu identifying
a plurality of different photo services that can be selected by a
user;
[0016] b) the imaging service provider establishing a user service
account containing data identifying a photo service selected by the
user from the menu;
[0017] c) storing, in the digital camera, a service account
identifier which can be transmitted from the camera through the
digital communications network to the imaging service provider in
order to identify the user service account;
[0018] d) the imaging service provider communicating via the
digital communications network with a modem in the digital camera
and receiving the service account identifier and a plurality of
digital images captured using the digital camera;
[0019] e) the imaging service provider using the service account
identifier to identify the user service account,
[0020] f) the imaging service provider reading the identified user
service account and data identifying the photo service selected by
the user from the menu, and;
[0021] g) the imaging service provider providing the photo service
previously selected by the user from the menu, using the plurality
of digital images received from the digital camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B;
[0023] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict block diagrams of a system that
implements this invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction for
providing customized photo products over a network;
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a selection of print sizes, picture frame
styles, and picture frame mattes provided by the system of FIGS. 1A
and 1B;
[0026] FIG. 4 depicts an album page that can be provided by the
system of FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the service account
information stored;
[0028] FIG. 6 depicts in more detail a digital camera shown as a
block in FIGS. 1A and 1B that is connected to a network service
provider using a built-in modem; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction for
printing images uploaded from the digital camera of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In accordance with the present invention, a method for
providing customized photo products uses an Internet accessible
server which accesses an electronic database and provides
information on service options to a user at a remote location. The
photo products can include standard print sizes and finishes,
enlargements and frames, and complete album pages. These photo
products can be customized to further include customized graphics,
text, or image templates. The user establishes a service account
and uploads a first group of digital images to be printed. The user
selects the type of photo products that they prefer, and selects
all of the options they prefer. This customer preference
information is retained as part of the service account stored by
the service provider, or using a special file on the user's
computer accessible to the service provider. When the user
subsequently accesses their account to upload a second group of
digital images, this user service account data is recalled and can
be used to providing matching photo products using the second group
of digital images. In this way, the user can easily get the same
type of digital prints, or other photo products, as in an earlier
order, and does not need to remember and re-enter their choices to
the numerous options. The user can access the digital printing
service from their home PC via a modem, or from a retail kiosk.
[0031] The following discussion is for the situation where the user
prefers to have images arranged and printed as album pages. On the
user's first visit to the service provider web site, a user can
select an album page size, an album cover, and preferred layout
formats, background colors, patterns, and/or templates. The user
then uploads the images to be printed and provides a payment
identifier and shipping address. The images are then arranged on
album pages, printed, inserted in the album (which can use a 3-ring
binder) and then mailed to the customer. Many weeks or months
later, the user returns to the same web site to upload and print an
additional group of digital images. The service provider recognizes
(through the use of a "cookie" or via an account number) that the
user has previously ordered services, and accesses the stored
account information for that user. The user is then presented with
the option of printing the new images using the same album page
size, finish, layout, etc. This permits the user to obtain album
pages that match those previously purchased. The new pages are
mailed to the user. The service provider also keeps track of the
album capability and the number of pages used, to automatically
print ascending page numbers and suggest that the user purchase a
new album when the new album pages will exceed the capability of
the user's present album.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment, the user decides to produce a
number of framed images of a certain size, with a specific border
matte color and type of picture frame. This information is stored
as part of the user account. When the user returns at a later time
to print additional images that will be displayed in the same way
(e.g. that will be displayed alongside some of the originally
printed images on the same wall of the user's family room, for
example) information on the border matte color and type of picture
frame is recalled from the user account, and the user is able to
immediately order new photo products having the same size, matte
color, and type of picture frame.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the system includes a home
computer system (with associated peripherals) 10 located at the
customer location (e.g., their home). The system also includes
equipment located at a network service provider 30, such as an
internet service provider (ISP), which communicates with the home
computer system 10 to provide a network connection for the customer
to a channel 36, such as the Internet. The system also includes a
retail kiosk 80 that communicates with the channel 36. The system
further includes a fulfillment center 40 which communicates with
the home computer system 10 and the retail kiosk 80 via the channel
36 and the network service provider 30 to perform the steps of
selecting, configuring, purchasing, billing, and shipping a photo
product 66. The fulfillment center 40 includes an electronic
database 44, which is located remote from the computer 10 and the
retail kiosk 80.
[0034] The various portions of the fulfillment center 40 can be
located in a single building or complex of adjacent buildings, or
can be geographically disbursed over several sites in different
cities or even different continents. For example, the electronic
database 44 and the production controller 52 can be provided by
computers located in different cities and interconnected via a
suitable digital communications network, such as the Internet.
Furthermore, the electronic database 44 can itself be distributed
over several computers in several different locations.
[0035] The home computer system 10, which can be, for example, a
Dell Dimension XPS M200, includes a CPU motherboard 12, using, for
example, a Pentium 200 MHz MMX processor as well as RAM memory. The
CPU motherboard 12 executes software stored on a hard drive 20, for
example, the well known Windows 98 operating system software and
the Internet Explorer web browser software, both provided by
Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash. The CPU motherboard 12 is coupled
to a display monitor 14 and a keyboard 16. A mouse 18 permits the
customer to readily communicate with the CPU motherboard 12. The
customer's computer 10 also includes a dial-in modem 22 for
communicating with the network service provider 30 in order to
connect to a channel 36, such as the Internet.
[0036] The CPU motherboard 12 communicates with a color scanner 4,
such as a Microtek ScanMaker E6, which can scan color photographs
(not shown) and store digital images of the photographs on the hard
drive 20. The CPU motherboard 12 also communicates with a CD reader
2. The CD reader 2 can be used to input digital images from a CD-R
disc, such as a Kodak PictureCD (not shown). The CPU motherboard 12
also communicates with a digital camera 6 via a suitable interface,
such as the well known USB or RS-232 serial interfaces. The digital
camera 6, for example a Kodak DC280 Zoom digital camera, can be
used to provide digital images. The digital images provided by the
CD reader 2, scanner 4, and digital camera 6 can be uploaded from
the home computer system 10 to the fulfillment center 40 via
network service provider 30 and channel 36.
[0037] The network service provider 30, for example, Earthlink
Network, Inc. of Pasadena, Calif., includes banks of modems 32, one
of which is connected to communicate with the modem 22 of the
customer's computer 10. The modem 32 in turn communicates with
computers/routers 34 in order to provide a connection to the
channel 36 using equipment and techniques well known to those
skilled in the art.
[0038] A retail kiosk 80 is located at a retail site, such as a
photo specialty store in a shopping mall. The retail kiosk 80
includes a CPU motherboard 82, using, for example, a Pentium II 400
MHz processor as well as RAM memory. The CPU motherboard 82
executes software stored on a hard drive 86, for example, the well
known Windows NT 4.0 operating system software provided by
Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash. The CPU motherboard 82 is coupled
to a touchscreen display 84 which permits the customer to readily
communicate with the CPU motherboard 82. The retail kiosk 80 also
includes network interface 88 for communicating with the channel
36.
[0039] The CPU motherboard 82 communicates with a color scanner 94,
which can scan color photographs (not shown) and store digital
images of the photographs on the hard drive 86. The CPU motherboard
82 also communicates with a CD reader 92. The CD reader 92 can be
used to input digital images from a CD-R disc, such as a Kodak
PictureCD (not shown). The CPU motherboard 82 also communicates
with a card reader 96 via a suitable interface, such as the well
known USB or RS-422 parallel interfaces. The card reader 96 reads
digital images from a memory card, such as a Compact Flash memory
card used to record digital images in the Kodak DC280 Zoom digital
camera. The digital images provided by the CD reader 92, scanner
94, and card reader 96 can be uploaded from the retail kiosk 80 to
the fulfillment center 40 via channel 36.
[0040] Images can also be uploaded directly from a digital camera
300, which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6.
[0041] The fulfillment center 40 is connected to the channel 36,
such as the Internet, by a network server 42, such as an Internet
server, which is comprised of one or more computers and associated
peripherals. The electronic database 44 provides information
describing numerous photo product options, including printing a
group of digital images onto album pages. The electronic database
44 can be contained on the same computer as the network server 42,
or can utilize a separate computer, or can be distributed over
several computers at the same physical site, or at different
sites.
[0042] The electronic database 44 includes information describing
different features of the albums and other photo products 66 that
can be selected and customized by the customer at the remote
location, using the customer's computer 10 or retail kiosk 80. The
electronic database 44 includes information describing photo
product options, for example album features such as providing
various background colors or textures, page numbers, page captions,
image captions, etc. The album pages can be bound in a cover, or
can include holes to permit the pages to be inserted into a
standard binder, such as a three-ring binder. These album feature
options can be demonstrated via software programs, for example,
JAVA applets, MPEG or QuickTime movies, or Shockwave files, which
depict the functionality of features that the customer can
choose.
[0043] When a photo product 66 is purchased, the electronic
database 44 communicates with a billing system 46 to verify that
the payment identifier (e.g., credit card or debit card number)
provided by the customer is valid, and to debit the account for the
purchase. As shown in block 48, the bill is issued. The customer's
account that is debited can, of course, be located at a remote
financial institution. Typically, as with credit cards, this
financial institution will make payment to the direct provider or
seller of shippable photo product 66. This is generally done by
wiring the amount into the direct provider's account, generally an
account established with another financial institution.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic database 44 is
connected to production controller 52. The production controller 52
controls one or more color hardcopy printers 54 which can produce
album pages 56 or separate hardcopy prints 58. The hardcopy prints
can be placed in frames 68. The production controller 52 is also
connected to an album label printer 60 which produces labels that
can be attached to a standard album cover to provide custom album
cover 62.
[0045] The production controller 52 also controls a shipping label
printer 70 to produce a shipping label 74. The shipping label 74 is
attached to a shipping container 64 (e.g., a cardboard box
containing packing material) that contains and protects the photo
product 66 during shipment (e.g., via air express mail, ground
carrier, etc.) to the customer or the customer's designee.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a flow diagram of a
typical purchase transaction for providing personalized digital
imaging products. As shown in block 100, the customer, using a
digital communication network, logs onto the channel 36, which can
be the Internet. The customer can, of course, use a service
provider, such as the network service provider 30, to gain access
to the channel 36. The network service provider 30 uses an address,
such as an Internet protocol (IP) address, to establish a
connection between the customer's computer 10 and a product
provider or seller which owns or controls the fulfillment center
40. The customer can also use retail kiosk 80 to obtain access to
the fulfillment center 40.
[0047] In block 102, the customer enters their name, selects a
password, and provides delivery and billing information. This
information identifies the customer and the customer's designee
(e.g. the person to whom the photo product 66 should be shipped,
which can of course be the customer). It includes addresses of both
the customer and one or more of the customer's designees. The
customer also identifies an account to be debited to pay for the
photo product(s) to be purchased. Often this will be a credit card
having a payment identifier that specifies the account of the
customer to be charged or debited. Frequently, this will be in a
financial institution. The payment identifier can be a credit card
number that specifies a particular credit card account. As used in
this specification, a credit card will also include a debit
card.
[0048] In block 104, a user service account is established for the
customer. This service account includes the information entered by
the customer in block 102, which will later be augmented by
additional information listing the photo product options selected
by the customer. FIG. 5 provides an example of the service account
information. The billing information (e.g. credit card number) and
other sensitive information provided in the service account can be
encrypted to prevent discovery and unauthorized use.
[0049] In block 106, the fulfillment center 40 provides the
customer with a menu of photo products 66 that are available for
customization and purchase, such as standard service prints, framed
hardcopy prints as depicted in FIG. 3, and customized photo albums
as depicted in FIG. 4. In block 108 the customer selects what type
of products (e.g. standard service prints, framed hardcopy prints,
or customized photo albums) to purchase.
[0050] In block 110, the network server 42 provides a menu of
customizable features for the type of product selected by the user.
This menu is displayed on display monitor 14 if the user is located
at the home computer system 10, or on touchscreen display 84 if the
user is located at retail kiosk 80. In block 112, the customer
selects preferred features for the product type they selected in
block 108.
[0051] The options for standard prints include providing the prints
in various sizes (e.g. 3".times.5", 4".times.6", etc.) and various
surface finishes (e.g. glossy, matte finish, etc.). The standard
prints can also include text, such as the date the picture was
captured or printed. The date the pictures were captured can be
obtained from the digital image file to be uploaded, if the picture
was taken by a digital camera or by an APS film camera having a
real-time clock. The user can select whether or not to include this
date stamp, where to position the text (e.g. on the front at the
lower left, or on the back of the print.). The user can also select
the color (e.g. white or yellow) and the font (e.g. Helvetica or
Script) for the date stamp. The user can alternately enter a text
message (e.g. "Photos by Ray" or "Copyright 2000 by Pam") or
graphic to overlay a specified area of the images to be
printed.
[0052] FIG. 3 depicts framed options that can be selected by the
user. The options include selecting the size of the print from a
plurality of print sizes 150, including 4".times.6" size 152,
5".times.7" size 154, 8".times.10" size 156, and 14".times.16" size
158. The user selects the size by selecting the appropriate print
size icon (e.g. icon 152, 14, 156, or 158). The options also
include selecting a matte style from a plurality of styles 160,
including solid mattes 162 in gray, tan, and blue, textured mattes
164 in woodgrain, straw, or marble, and background image mattes 166
including clouds, water, or flowers. The user selects the matte by
selecting the appropriate radio button (e.g. one of buttons 162,
164, or 166) for their preferred matte style. The user then selects
a picture frame style from a variety of styles 170, including
modern styles 172 in white, red, and black, classic styles 174 in
walnut, oak, and black, and antique styles 176 in gold and silver.
The user selects the picture frame style by selecting the
appropriate radio button (e.g. one of buttons 172, 174, or 176) for
their preferred frame style. Of course, many more size, matte, and
frame options can be presented to the user using various types
displays, such as pull-down menus, scroll bars, etc. The selected
combination of print size, matte style and frame style is then
presented to the user. For example, if the user selects a classic
walnut frame with a texture wood grain matte, the internet server
42 would present to the user an image depicting this combination
for the user to review.
[0053] FIG. 4 depicts album options that can be selected by the
user. The options include selecting the size of the album from a
plurality of sizes 200, including 5".times.7" size 202,
8".times.10" size 204, and 10".times.12" size 206. The user selects
the size by selecting the appropriate print size icon (e.g. icon
202, 204, or 206). The options also include using radio buttons 208
to select single-sided pages (e.g. print only on 1 side of the
album page) or double-sided pages. The options further include
selecting a preferred background style from a plurality of styles
210, including solid backgrounds 212 in white, gray, or tan,
textured backgrounds 214 in wood grain, straw, or marble, and
background images 216 including clouds, water, or flowers. The user
selects the background style by selecting the appropriate radio
button (e.g. one of buttons 212, 214, or 216). The user then
selects whether to include a page number from a plurality of
options using radio buttons 220. The options include no page
numbers and several different styles of page numbers. The color,
size, and font of the text used for the page numbers and image
captions could also be selected using a separate menu (not shown).
Finally, the user selects an album type from a plurality of album
types 230. The album type is selected by the user by selecting one
of the radio buttons for bound albums 232, 3-ring albums 234
(including 1", 2", and 3" thick 3-ring albums) or 20-ring albums
236 (including 1" and 2" thick albums). Of course, many more size,
background, and album type options can be presented to the user
using various types displays, such as pull-down menus, scroll bars,
etc. The selected combination of album size, background, page
numbers, and album type is then presented to the user. For example,
if the user selects a 8".times.10" double-sided album pages in a
3-ring, 2" thick binder with a marble texture background and a
particular page number style, the internet server 42 presents to
the user an image depicting this combination for the user to
review.
[0054] In step 114, the customer's selected photo product options
are added to the user's service account information. As depicted in
FIG. 5, the service account information can include information for
several products having different identifiers (ID) such as Product
ID-1 (lines 13-22) which specifies a customized album, Product ID-2
(lines 24-28) which specifies a framed print, and Product ID-3
(lines 30-34) which specifies customized service prints. The album
related information (lines 13-22) includes the page size, album
type, and background style selected. It also includes page number
information, such as the style, font, and color of the text, and
the last page number printed. The last page number information is
updated each time new album pages are printed. It can be used to
automatically tell the user when an album has been filled, and a
new album needs to be purchased. The framed print information
(lines 24-28) specifies the frame size, frame style and color, and
matte style. The service print information (lines 30-34) specifies
the print size, print finish, and the location, font style, size,
and color of the date to be overlaid in the print. The service
print information could also specify other text or graphics
selected by the user that should be added to the images when they
are printed. The service print information is stored in electronic
database 44. Alternatively, the service print information could be
stored on hard drive 20 of home computer system 10 or hard drive 86
of retail kiosk 80.
[0055] In block 116, the customer uploads a first digital image, or
group of digital images, from the home computer system 10 or retail
kiosk 80. This can be done by selecting to upload all the images
from a particular CD inserted in CD reader 2 or CD reader 92, or
stored in digital camera 6 or card reader 96, or by individually
selecting images to be uploaded. Alternatively, the customer can
specify a web address or Internet account containing the images to
be uploaded, if the images have previously been uploaded either by
the user or by a service provider, such as the Kodak PhotoNet
service which scans film negatives and uploads the images to a web
site accessible by the customer.
[0056] In block 118, the production controller 52 produces the
customized photo products using the uploaded images and the service
print information stored in electronic database 44. If the user has
ordered an album, the uploaded digital images can be automatically
arranged on the pages and printed by color hardcopy printer 54 to
produce album pages 56 as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.
No. 6,636,648 issued Oct. 21, 2003 to Alexander C. Loui, et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,181 issued May 14, 2002 to Stephen L. Shaffer,
et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/199,724, filed Nov.
25, 1998 by Stephen L. Shaffer, et al., now abandoned, the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Alternatively, the user can manually arrange the images on the
pages. The last page number (line 22) in the service account
information depicted in FIG. 5 is updated to reflect the number of
album pages that will be produced to show the uploaded images. The
user can also select preferred colors, messages, logos, or images
for the custom album cover 62.
[0057] At this point, the can be presented with one or more display
screens showing the final products to be delivered, and confirming
the cost of the products. The user can then approve the order and
log off of the Internet site.
[0058] If the user has ordered framed prints, the digital image is
printed using color hardcopy printer 54 to produce hardcopy print
58. The hardcopy print 58 includes the user selected matte border,
for example the texture-wood grain border specified in line 28 of
FIG. 5. The hardcopy print 58 is then framed using the appropriate
frame 68, for example the classic-walnut frame specified in line 27
of FIG. 5. If the user has ordered service prints, the digital
images are printed using color hardcopy printer 54 to produce
hardcopy prints 58. The hardcopy prints 58 use the size and finish
specified in lines 32-33 of FIG. 5. Before printing, the digital
image is overlaid with the date stamp as specified in line 34 of
FIG. 5.
[0059] In block 120, the production controller 52 in FIGS. 1A and
1B controls the shipping label printer 70 to produce the shipping
label 74 using the shipping address of the customer or customer's
designee provided in the service account information (FIG. 5). The
shipping label 74 is attached to the shipping container 64 which is
used to ship the photo product 66.
[0060] In block 122, the customer account provided in the service
account information (FIG. 5) is billed for the order. At this
point, the financial institution having the customer's account
designates such funds for transfer to the product provider or
seller.
[0061] In block 124, the photo product 66 incorporating the first
group of digital images is delivered to the customer or the
customer's designee. The term "delivery" means that the photo
product 66 can be shipped to the customer or the customer's
designee by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or by a carrier service,
such as the United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express.
Alternatively, the photo product 66 can be delivered to a location
such as the store where the retail kiosk 80 is located, where the
customer can pick it up. In this case, the billing provided in step
122 can be delayed until the customer picks up the photo product
66, and the customer can then pay for the photo product 66 using
cash, check, or a charge/debit card.
[0062] After the photo products are shipped to the user in block
124, the first set of digital images uploaded by the user in step
116 can be deleted from electronic database 44 in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The service account information in FIG. 5 is retained, however, so
that it can be used for subsequent orders by the same customer.
[0063] Block 130 typically occurs many weeks or months later. At
this time, the customer returns to the home computer system 10 or
retail kiosk 80 with additional digital images to be printed. In
block 130, the customer again logs onto the internet site and
enters their name and password, similar to block 100. Alternately,
the home computer system 10 can include a "cookie" created and
stored on hard drive 20 when the user first accessed the internet
site in step 100. This "cookie" can automatically identify the user
account.
[0064] In block 132 the network server 42 accesses, from the
electronic database 44 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the service account
information for the customer. The network server 42 provides a
display for the user based on the Product ID information stored in
the user's service account. For example, if the user had selected a
classic walnut frame with a texture wood grain matte in step 112,
the internet server 42 would present to the user an image depicting
this combination for the user to review. If the user had also
selected a 8".times.10" double-sided album pages in a 3-ring, 2"
thick binder with a marble texture background and a selected page
number style in step 112, the internet server 42 would also present
to the user an image depicting this combination for the user to
review. These images are displayed on display monitor 14 if the
user is located at the home computer system 10, or on touchscreen
display 84 if the user is located at retail kiosk 80. The network
server 42 also allows the user to select new types of products to
purchase, and to customize the products, as provided earlier in
blocks 106 to 114.
[0065] In block 134, the customer uploads a second digital image,
or group of digital images, from the home computer system 10 or
retail kiosk 80. As in block 116, this can be done by selecting to
upload all the images from a particular CD inserted in CD reader 2
or CD reader 92, or stored in digital camera 6 or card reader 96,
or by individually selecting images to be uploaded. Alternatively,
the customer can specify a web address or Internet account
containing the images to be uploaded, if the images have previously
been uploaded either by the user or by a service provider, such as
the Kodak PhotoNet service which scans film negatives and uploads
the images to a web site accessible by the customer.
[0066] In block 136, the production controller creates additional
photo products, as described earlier in relation to block 118. The
production controller 52 produces the customized photo products
using the second group of images uploaded in step 134 and the
service print information stored in electronic database 44. If the
user has ordered an album, the last page number (line 22) in the
service account information depicted in FIG. 5 is updated to
reflect the number of album pages that will be produced to show the
uploaded images. If the number of new album pages to be produced
will exceed the capacity of the customer's current album (e.g. if
the print count will be 54, which is more than 50 pages for the 2"
thick binder in FIG. 4), the user is automatically advised that a
new album will be ordered to store some of the new album pages, and
the page numbers printed on the album pages are number accordingly.
In the above example, the last 4 pages (e.g. prints 51 to 54) are
given page numbers 1 to 4 and provided in a new album, while the
other pages will be included in the earlier 3-ring album provided
as part of the earlier order.
[0067] At this point, the customer can be presented with one or
more display screens showing the final products to be delivered,
and confirming the cost of the products. The user may then approve
the order and log off of the Internet site.
[0068] In step 138, the shipping label 74 is produced and attached
to the shipping container 64, the customer account is billed for
the order, a the photo product(s) incorporating the second group of
images are shipped to the customer or customer's designee, as
described earlier in relation to blocks 120 to 124.
[0069] The user can of course repeat steps 130 to 138 many times,
with new groups of digital images, to simply and easily obtain
similarly customized photo products. For example, the user can,
over the course of several years, obtain a set of frame prints
having similar frame styles and matte colors, without needing to
re-enter, or even remember, the choices they had made for their
earlier orders.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electronic camera 300
in more detail, which includes a modem 390 to communicate with the
network service provider 30 depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The
electronic camera 300 produces digital images that are stored on
the removable memory card 330. The electronic camera 300 includes a
zoom lens 312 having zoom and focus motor drives 310 and an
adjustable aperture and shutter (not shown). The zoom lens 312
focuses light from a scene (not shown) on an image sensor 314, for
example, a single-chip color CCD image sensor, using the well known
Bayer color filter pattern. The image sensor 314 is controlled by
clock drivers 306. The zoom and focus motors 310 and the clock
drivers 306 are controlled by control signals supplied by a control
processor and timing generator circuit 304. The control processor
and timing generator 304 receives inputs from autofocus and
autoexposure detectors 308 and controls a flash 302. The analog
output signal from the image sensor 314 is amplified and converted
to digital data by the analog signal processing (ASP) and
analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit 316. The digital data is
stored in a DRAM buffer memory 318 and subsequently processed by a
processor 320 controlled by the firmware stored in the firmware
memory 328, which can be flash EPROM memory.
[0071] The processed digital image file is provided to a memory
card interface 324 which stores the digital image file on the
removable memory card 330. Removable memory cards 330 are known to
those skilled in the art. For example, the removable memory card
330 can include memory cards adapted to the CompactFlash
Specification Version 1.3, published by the CompactFlash
Association, Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 5, 1998. Other types of
digital memory devices, such as magnetic hard drives, magnetic
tape, or optical disks, could alternatively be used to store the
digital images.
[0072] The processor 320 performs color interpolation followed by
color and tone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB image
data. The rendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed and
stored as a JPEG image file on the removable memory card 330. The
processor 320 also creates a "thumbnail" size image that is stored
in RAM memory 326 and supplied to the color LCD image display 332,
which displays the captured image for the user to review. The
electronic camera 300 is controlled by user controls 303, such as a
series of user buttons including a shutter release (e.g., capture
button) (not shown) which initiates a picture taking operation. The
graphical user interface displayed on the color LCD image display
332 is controlled by the user interface portion of the firmware
stored in the firmware memory 328.
[0073] After a series of images have been taken and stored on the
removable memory card 330, the removable memory card 330 can be
inserted into the card reader 96 in retail kiosk 80. Alternatively,
an interface cable 342 from Host PC 340 can be used to connect
between the host interface 322 in the electronic camera 300 and the
CPU motherboard 12 in home computer system 10. The interface cable
342 can conform to, for example, the well known universal serial
bus (USB) interface specification.
[0074] The camera 300 can transmit images to the network service
provider 30 using the modem 390, as described in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,924 issued Aug. 31, 2004 to Joseph W. Ward, et
al. The camera 300 can also create and transmit a utilization file
listing the images to be printed, as described in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,927 issued Jun. 3, 2003 to Kenneth A. Parulski,
et al. The camera can store a service account identifier in the
firmware memory 328, as described in commonly assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/534,469, filed Mar. 24, 2000 to Kenneth A.
Parulski, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by
reference. The service identification number can then be stored
onto the removable flash memory 330, either as part of each image
file, or as a separate digital record, so that it can be used to
automatically access the service account for the user to determine
what services should be provided.
[0075] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction for
printing images uploaded from the digital camera of FIG. 6. FIG. 7
is similar to FIG. 2 except that block 116 of FIG. 2 has been
replaced by blocks 115 and 117. Blocks 118-131 of FIG. 2 have been
deleted in FIG. 7, and block 134 of FIG. 2 has been also been
deleted.
[0076] Where the blocks carry the same reference numerals, they
have the same functions. In blocks 100-114 of FIG. 7, a customer
logs onto an internet site, a service account is established for
the customer, the customer selects the type of product to purchase,
and selects preferred features, which are stored in the user
account. In block 115, the customer logs off the internet site
without having uploaded any digital images. The customer then uses
digital camera 300 to capture digital images which are stored on
removable memory card 330. In block 117, the customer connects via
modem 390 in FIG. 6 to network service provider 30 shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B. The customer uploads the first group of digital images
from removable memory card 330 to fulfillment center 40 via channel
36, which can be the internet. Alternatively, the customer takes
the removable memory card 330 to retail kiosk 80 and inserts it in
card reader 96. The first group of digital images is then uploaded
from retail kiosk 80 to the fulfillment center 40 via channel 36.
The customer's service account identifier is also transferred along
with the first group of digital images.
[0077] In block 132 the network server 42 accesses, from the
electronic database 44 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the service account
information for the customer. For example, if the user selects and
customizes an album in blocks 106-114 of FIG. 7, the service
account information specifying this customized album (e.g. lines
14-22 in FIG. 5) is recalled from the user account. In block 136,
the production controller 52 creates photo products using digital
images uploaded from the digital camera 300 in step 117. In block
138, the customer account is billed for the order, and the product
is shipped to the customer. Steps 117-138 in FIG. 7. can be
repeated each time the customer takes a new group of digital
images. Using the method of FIG. 7, the fulfillment center 40 can
create album pages using the uploaded digital images and stored
user account information.
[0078] A computer program product can include one or more storage
medium, for example; magnetic storage media such as magnetic disk
(such as a floppy disk) or magnetic tape; optical storage media
such as optical disk, optical tape, or machine readable bar code;
solid-state electronic storage devices such as random access memory
(RAM), or read-only memory (ROM); or any other physical device or
media employed to store a computer program having instructions for
practicing a method according to the present invention.
[0079] 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.
Parts List
[0080] 2 CD reader
[0081] 4 color scanner
[0082] 6 digital camera
[0083] 10 home computer system
[0084] 12 CPU motherboard
[0085] 14 display monitor
[0086] 16 keyboard
[0087] 18 mouse
[0088] 20 hard drive
[0089] 22 dial-in modem
[0090] 24 color scanner
[0091] 30 network service provider
[0092] 32 modem
[0093] 34 computers/routers
[0094] 36 channel
[0095] 40 fulfillment center
[0096] 42 network server
[0097] 44 electronic database
[0098] 46 billing system
[0099] 48 bill issuing
[0100] 50 product configuration system
[0101] 52 production controller
[0102] 54 color hardcopy printers
[0103] 56 album pages
[0104] 58 hardcopy prints
[0105] 60 album label printer
[0106] 62 custom album cover
[0107] 64 shipping container
[0108] 66 photo product
Parts List (con't)
[0109] 68 frames
[0110] 70 shipping label printer
[0111] 72 shipping label printer
[0112] 74 shipping label
[0113] 80 kiosk
[0114] 82 CPU motherboard
[0115] 84 touchscreen display
[0116] 86 hard drive
[0117] 88 network interface
[0118] 92 CD reader
[0119] 94 color scanner
[0120] 96 card reader
[0121] 100 block
[0122] 102 block
[0123] 104 block
[0124] 106 block
[0125] 108 block
[0126] 100 block
[0127] 110 block
[0128] 112 block
[0129] 114 block
[0130] 115 block
[0131] 116 block
[0132] 117 block
[0133] 118 block
[0134] 120 block
[0135] 122 block
[0136] 124 block
[0137] 130 block
Parts List (con't)
[0138] 132 block
[0139] 134 block
[0140] 136 block
[0141] 138 block
[0142] 150 print sizes
[0143] 152 print size
[0144] 154 print size
[0145] 156 print size
[0146] 158 print size
[0147] 160 matte styles
[0148] 162 solid mattes
[0149] 164 textured mattes
[0150] 166 background image mattes
[0151] 170 picture frame styles
[0152] 172 modem picture frame style
[0153] 174 classic picture frame style
[0154] 176 antique picture frame style
[0155] 202 album size
[0156] 204 album size
[0157] 206 album size
[0158] 208 radio buttons
[0159] 210 background style
[0160] 212 solid background style
[0161] 214 textured backgrounds
[0162] 216 background images
[0163] 220 radio button
[0164] 230 album types
[0165] 232 bound albums
[0166] 234 3-ring albums
Parts List (con't)
[0167] 236 20-ring albums
[0168] 300 digital/electronic camera
[0169] 302 flash
[0170] 303 users controls
[0171] 304 control processor and timing generator circuit
[0172] 306 clock drivers
[0173] 308 autofocus and autoexposure detectors
[0174] 310 zoom and focus motor drives
[0175] 312 zoom lens
[0176] 314 image sensor
[0177] 316 analog signal processing and analog-to-digital converter
circuit
[0178] 318 DRAM buffer memory
[0179] 320 processor
[0180] 322 host interface
[0181] 324 memory card interface
[0182] 326 RAM memory
[0183] 328 firmware memory
[0184] 330 removable memory card
[0185] 332 color LCD image display
[0186] 340 Host PC
[0187] 342 interface cable
[0188] 390 modem
* * * * *
References