System, method and software product for ordering image products using images stored on a digital storage device from a plurality of order terminals

• US 20030038882A1
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Parulski, Kenneth A., Foster, John A., Chauvin, Lou, Thompson, Timothy G., Gotham, Pamela J., Bussey, Howard E., Dobbs, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,688,764 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system, method, and software product for ordering of digital photo services among a plurality order terminals each being associated with one of a plurality of business entities, using a digital image provided on a digital storage device associated with one of a plurality of digital storage device providers. The method includes maintaining information with respect to business relationships between the plurality of digital storage device providers and the plurality of business entities; providing a digital storage device at one of the order terminals; and providing an offering at the one order terminal based on a business relationship between the business entity associated with the one order terminal and the digital device provider associated with the digital storage device.

Claims

1. A method for ordering of digital photo services among a plurality order terminals each being associated with one of a plurality of business entities, using a digital image provided on a digital storage device associated with one of a plurality of digital storage device providers, comprising:

maintaining information with respect to business relationships between said plurality of digital storage device providers and said plurality of business entities;

providing a digital storage device at one of said order terminals; and

providing an offering at said one order terminal based on a business relationship between the business entity associated with said one order terminal and said digital device provider associated with said digital storage device.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said offering is displayed in a presentation format that is also based on said business relationship.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said order terminal comprises one of the following:

an automated teller machine

a photo kiosk

a personal computer

a wireless imaging device.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said digital storage device comprises one or more of the following:

optical disc;

magnetic floppy disc;

memory card;

digital camera.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said one order terminal provides access to one or more of the following services:

local printing of digital images;

remote printing of digital images

on-line storage of digital images;

providing digital storage media containing digital images;

providing associated goods and/or services with respect to hard copy prints.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said digital storage device includes a code which identifies the associated service provider.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said business relationships include friendly, neutral, and hostile relationships.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said business relationships are maintained in a services directory by a service manager.

2. The method according to claim 2 wherein the offering includes an offering price based on said business relationship.

10. A system for ordering of digital photo services by a user using one order terminal from a plurality order terminals each being associated with one of a plurality of business entities and using a digital image provided on a digital storage device associated with one of a plurality of digital storage device providers, comprising:

a control system for maintaining information with respect to business relationships between said digital storage device providers and said plurality of business entities, said order terminal being used by said user displaying an offering based on a business relationship between the business entity associated with said order terminal and said digital device provider associated with said digital storage device.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein the offering includes an offering price based on said business relationship.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein said offering is displayed in a presentation format that is also based on said business relationship.

13. The system according to claim 10 wherein said order terminal comprises one of the following:

an automated teller machine

a photo kiosk

a personal computer

a wireless imaging device.

14. The system according to claim 10 wherein said digital storage device comprises one or more of the following:

optical disc;

magnetic floppy disc;

Flash memory device;

Digital camera.

15. The system according to claim 10 wherein said one order terminal provides access to one or more of the following services:

local printing of digital images;

remote printing of digital images

on-line storage of digital images;

providing digital storage media containing digital images;

providing associated goods and/or services with respect to hard copy prints.

16. The system according to claim 10 wherein said digital storage device includes a code which identifies the associated service provider.

17. The system according to claim 10 wherein said business relationships include friendly, neutral, and hostile relationships.

18. The system according to claim 10 wherein said business relationships are maintained in a services directory by a service manager.

19. A computer software program having instructions such when loaded on to a computer said program will implementing a method for ordering of digital photo services among a plurality order terminals each being associated with one of a plurality of business entities, using a digital image provided on a digital storage device associated with one of a plurality of digital storage device providers, comprising:

maintaining information with respect to business relationships between said plurality of digital storage device providers and said plurality of business entities;

providing a digital storage device at one of said order terminals; and

providing an offering at said one order terminal based on a business relationship between the business entity associated with said one order terminal and said digital device provider associated with said digital storage device.