System and method for managing images over a communication network

• US 20030009569A1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Fredlund, John R., McIntyre, Dale F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0014 via e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00145 from a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00151 with selective access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00164 at a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0019 on souvenir-type products or the like, e.g. T-shirts or mugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4406 Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity mechanisms actuated y cards, PIN or the like in apparatus for dispensing G07F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4426 involving separate means, e.g. a server, a magnetic card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/444 to a particular document or image or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images

Abstract

A system, method, and software product for managing digital images. A server is provided for controlling access to a user image storage device having at least one digital image file of an image. The server has a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of user computers wherein at least one of the user computers having the at least one digital image file. A software program permits automatic controlled access to the at least one digital image file on the user computer by a third party and monitors access by the third party without any further authorization by the user.

Claims

1. A system for managing digital images, comprising:

a server for allowing controlled access to a user image storage device having at least one digital image file of an image, said server having a communication system capable of communicating with a plurality of user computers, at least one of said user computers having said at least one digital image file, a software program for controlling access to said at least one digital image file, said software program for permitting automatic access to said at least one digital image file on said user computer by a third party and monitoring access by said third party without any further authorization by said user.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image file includes an electronic address for identifying that image came from said user.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said third party pays an access fee for use and/or down loading of said image from said user image file.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said service provider assigns a first predetermined credit to the account of the user of said downloaded image, a debit to the account of the third party downloading the image, and a second predetermined credit to the service provider.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein a report is provided to said user regarding access to said digital media file.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein a report is provided to said user regarding access to said digital media file.

6. A computer software product for managing digital images stored on a user computer, said software product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program which when loaded into said user computer causes the computer to perform the following steps of:

allowing controlled access by a service provider to said digital image files stored on said user computer, said provider having a communication system capable of communicating with a plurality of different devices, said software program using an electronic data file for permitting automatic access to said at least one digital image file by a third party and monitoring access by said third party without any further authorization by said user.

7. A method for monitoring access to digital image files on a user computer by third parties over a communication network by service provider, comprising the steps of:

allowing controlled access by third parties to said digital image files on said user computer;

monitoring access by said third parties to said digital image files;

reporting said access by said third parties to said user.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said third party pays an access fee for use and/or down loading of said digital image file from said user.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said service provider assigns a first predetermined credit to the account of the user of said downloaded image, a debit to the account of the third downloading the image, and a second predetermined credit to the service provider.

11. A system for managing digital images, comprising:

a server for allowing controlled access to a user image storage device having at least one digital image file of an image, said server having a communication system capable of communicating with a plurality of user computers, at least one of said user computers having said at least one digital image file, a software program for controlling access to said at least one digital image file, said software program for permitting automatic access to said at least one digital image file by a third party and monitoring access by said third party without any further authorization by said user.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said digital image file is stored on a service provider computer and is accessed by said third party on said computer.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein said at least one digital image file includes an electronic address for identifying that image came from said user.

14. A system according to claim 11 wherein said third party pays an access fee for use and/or down loading of said image from said user image file.

15. A system according to claim 11 wherein said service provider assigns a first predetermined credit to the account of the user, a debit to the account of the third party downloading the image, and a second predetermined credit to the service provider.

16. A system according to claim 11 wherein a report is provided to said user regarding access to said digital media file.