ARANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AND SHARING IMAGES

• US 20010001865A1
• Filed: 10/27/1998
• Published: 05/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Netergy Microelectronics, Inc. (8X8, Inc.)
• Inventors: BARRACLOUGH, KEITH, NOONEN, MICHAEL EDWARD
• Granted Patent: US 6,301,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking

Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the present invention provides methods and arrangements for using the internet and an internet access appliance to share images, wherein the images are captured, downloaded, and sent to a server. At the server, the images are parsed and posted to a web page. Subsequent communication is automatically sent to individuals selected by the sender to notify them of the posting of new images. The present invention provides an effective and efficient manner in which to share images for business, marketing, and home use.

Claims

1. A method for displaying and sharing digital images using an internet access appliance with internet telephony and image capture capability, comprising the steps of:

capturing digital images of an item;

downloading the digital images to the internet access appliance or directly to network storage through the appliance;

including the digital images with a first email addressed to a server and sending the first email;

parsing the first email at the server and posting the images to a web page where the images are stored;

selecting sets of individuals for whom targeted images are to be sent; and

sending a communication to a selected set of individuals to notify of the images posted to the web page.

2. A method, according to

claim 1

, wherein the images are accompanied by descriptions, and are included with the first email as attachments.

3. A method, according to

claim 1

, wherein the images are posted onto a web page with information imbedded into them, wherein the selected individuals visit the web page to view the images.

4. A method, according to

claim 3

, wherein clicking on the images initiates an internet phone call to the sender.

5. A method, according to

claim 4

, wherein an internet phone conference call is held between the sender and the selected individuals while simultaneously accessing web pages with images.

6. A method, according to

claim 3

, wherein clicking on the images initiates an email letter to the sender.

7. A method, according to

claim 3

, wherein clicking on the images initiates access to the sender'"'"'s internet web page.

8. A method, according to

claim 1

, wherein the images that are of low to medium resolution can be downloaded for viewing across the internet.

9. A method, according to

claim 1

, wherein the images that are of high resolution are stored for professional reprints.

10. A method, according to

claim 1

, of operating a real-estate business wherein the digital images comprise images of real estate property.

11. A method, according to

claim 10

, wherein the sets of selected individuals comprise potential purchasers of real estate.

20. A method, according to

claim 1

, wherein the internet access appliance includes a VC55 Set Top manufactured by 8×

8, Inc.

12. A method of operating a photo developing business using an internet access appliance with internet telephony and image capture capability and a web site with photo processing options, comprising the steps of:

capturing digital images of an item;

downloading the digital images to the internet access appliance or directly to network storage through the appliance;

accessing the web site and selecting a photo processing option; and

including the digital images with an email addressed to a server and sending the email.

13. A method, according to

claim 12

, further comprising the steps of developing the images into photographs and delivering the photographs to the sender.

14. A method, according to

claim 12

, further comprising the steps of:

parsing the first email at the server and posting the images to a web page where the images are stored;

selecting sets of individuals for whom targeted images are to be sent;

sending a second email to a selected set of individuals to notify of the posted images to the web site;

selecting a photo processing option by a member of the set of selected individuals; and

developing the selected images into photographs and delivering the selected photographs to the selected individual.

15. A method, according to

claim 12

, further comprising the step of modifying the digital images at the server.

16. A method, according to

claim 15

, further comprising the step of delivering the modified digital images to the sender.

17. A method, according to

claim 15

, further comprising the steps of:

parsing the first email at the server and posting the modified images to a web page where the images are stored;

selecting sets of individuals for whom targeted images are to be sent;

sending a communication to selected individuals to notify of the addition of the images to the web site;

selecting a digital photo processing option by a member of the set of selected individuals; and

delivering the modified digital images to the selected individual.

18. A method, according to

claim 12

, wherein the images are accompanied by descriptions.

19. A method, according to

claim 12

, wherein the payment for the photo processing is made via the internet.