Mobile wireless image capture and printing method and system

• US 20030069800A1
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Weetman, Robert J., Woodrow, Edward, Yager, Kevin, Cok, Ronald S., Marshall, Christopher I.
• Application Number:
  US09/970,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069800A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/209 Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

A method and system for providing photographic services, includes a mobile image capture system that has a digital camera, an order entry device having a display for displaying images captured by the digital camera and a data input device for taking a customer order, and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the captured image and an associated customer order; providing an image fulfillment station remote from the mobile image capture system that includes a wireless transceiver for receiving transmitted images and customer order and an output device for providing an image related product; an image of a customer is captured using the digital camera; the captured image is displayed to the customer on the display at the time and location of image capture; an order from the customer is entered on the order entry device for the captured image at the time and location of image capture; the image is transmitted to a fulfillment station; and the order is fulfilled at the fulfillment station.

Claims

1. A method for providing photographic services, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a mobile image capture system that includes a digital camera, an order entry device having a display for displaying images captured by the digital camera and a data input device for taking a customer order, and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the captured image and an associated customer order;

b) providing an image fulfillment station remote from the mobile image capture system that includes a wireless transceiver for receiving transmitted images and customer order and an output device for providing an image related product;

c) capturing an image of a customer using the digital camera;

d) displaying the captured image to the customer on the display at the time and location of image capture;

e) entering an order from the customer on the order entry device for the captured image at the time and location of image capture;

f) transmitting the image to a fulfillment station; and

g) fulfilling the order at the fulfillment station.

2. The method claimed in claim1 wherein the order entry device is a portable computer.

3. The method claimed in claim1 wherein the order entry device further comprises a credit card reader.

4. The method claimed in claim1 wherein the order entry device further comprises a receipt printer.

5. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the data input device is a touch screen.

6. The method claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving payment for the customer order at the time and location of image capture.

7. The method claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving payment for the customer order at the time and location of fulfillment.

8. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital camera and the order entry device are connected by a wireless communication link, and wherein the order is entered by a person other than a photographer.

9. The method claimed in claim1 wherein a plurality of photographers are provided with mobile image capture systems that communicate with the image fulfillment station.

10. The method claimed in claim 9 wherein the plurality of mobile image capture systems communicate with the image fulfillment station over a communication network employing an ad hoc communications protocol, whereby mobile image capture systems can be added or removed in real time from the network.

11. The method claimed in claim 8 wherein the mobile image capture system includes a plurality of order entry devices.

12. The method claimed in claim 8 wherein the mobile image capture system includes a plurality of digital cameras.

13. The method claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of recording image acquisition, printing, and payment transactions at the fulfillment station.

14. A system for providing photographic services, comprising:

a) a mobile image capture system that includes a digital camera, an order entry device having a display for displaying images captured by the digital camera and a data input device for taking a customer order, and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the captured image and an associated customer order; and

b) an image fulfillment station remote from the mobile image capture system that includes a wireless transceiver for receiving transmitted images and customer order and an output device for providing an image service.

15. The system claimed in claim14 further comprising a plurality of mobile image capture systems communicating with the image fulfillment station.

16. The system claimed in claim 15 wherein the plurality of mobile image capture systems communicate with the image fulfillment station over a communication network employing an ad hoc communications protocol, whereby mobile image capture systems can be randomly added or removed from the network.

17. The system claimed in claim14 wherein the order entry device is a portable computer.

18. The system claimed in claim14 wherein the order entry device further comprises a credit card reader.

19. The system claimed in claim14 wherein the order entry device further comprises a receipt printer.

20. The system claimed in claim 14, wherein the data input device is a touch screen.

21. The system claimed in claim 14, wherein the digital camera and the order entry device are connected by a wireless communication link.

23. The system claimed in claim 14 wherein the mobile image capture system includes a plurality of order entry devices wirelessly connected to the digital camera.

24. The system claimed in claim 21 wherein the mobile image capture system includes a plurality of digital cameras wirelessly connected to the order entry station.

25. The system claimed in claim 21 wherein the mobile image capture system includes a plurality of digital cameras and order entry stations connected to a wireless communications network.

26. The system claimed in claim 14 further comprising means to accept, record, and fulfill a customer order for the acquired image at image fulfillment station.

27. The system claimed in claim 14 wherein the image fulfillment station further comprises means to accept payment for a customer order.

28. The system claimed in claim 14 wherein the image capture station further comprises means to accept payment for a customer order.

29. The system claimed in claim 14 further comprising means to record image acquisition, printing, and payment transactions.